JP2024023303A - Medical image processing system, medical image processing method and medical image processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

To display an image through which a correspondence between a three-dimensional image and a second-dimensional image is easily grasped and which can effectively be used in diagnosis and medical treatment.SOLUTION: A medical image processing system 1 includes a display device 13, an input device 14, a data storage unit 12 for storing a data set which can create a three-dimensional image, and an image display control unit 11 for controlling the display of an image to the display device 13. The image display control unit 11 creates at least a three-dimensional image from the data set, simultaneously displays the created three-dimensional image and a second image having a different form from that of the three-dimensional image and associated with the three-dimensional image in the display device, creates an auxiliary image from information included in at least one of the three-dimensional image and the second image, and displays the auxiliary image in the other of the three-dimensional image and the second image.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a medical image processing system, a medical image processing method, and a medical image processing program that process the display of medical image data obtained from a subject.

Conventionally, diagnosis and treatment have been performed using medical images obtained by imaging devices such as CT devices. Medical images obtained by an imaging device are used, for example, to confirm the presence or absence of a lesion, to simulate before surgery, and to navigate during surgery. Two-dimensional images and/or three-dimensional images are used as medical images. The image data acquired by the imaging device described above is a plurality of slice image data, that is, two-dimensional image data. A three-dimensional image can be obtained by creating volume data from a plurality of two-dimensional image data. For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose medical image display apparatuses that can display two-dimensional images and three-dimensional images on the same display device.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-357789 Patent No. 4971402

In the inventions described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, a three-dimensional image and a corresponding two-dimensional image are displayed on the same display device. There are also demands. For example, in a region where arterial blood vessels and venous blood vessels run in a complex manner, the positional relationship between multiple blood vessels can be understood by visually comparing two-dimensional and three-dimensional images. However, if two-dimensional and three-dimensional images are simply displayed side by side, it may be difficult to understand the correspondence between the three-dimensional and two-dimensional images, making it difficult for diagnosis and treatment. It was not easy to use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a medical image processing apparatus and the like that displays images that are easy to understand and that can be effectively used in diagnosis and treatment, making it easy to understand the correspondence between various images displayed on the same display device.

The medical image processing system of the present invention includes a display device that displays images;
an input device that accepts input from an operator;
a data storage unit storing at least one data set capable of creating a three-dimensional image representing a three-dimensional arrangement of a plurality of anatomical structures;
an image display control unit that controls display of the image on the display device according to input received by the input device;
has
The image display control section includes:
creating at least the three-dimensional image from the data set;
a process of simultaneously displaying the created three-dimensional image and a second image different in format from the three-dimensional image but associated with the three-dimensional image on the display device;
creating an auxiliary image from information included in at least one of the three-dimensional image and the second image in response to input received by the input device or independently of the input; processing for displaying on the other of the image and the second image;
is configured to do so.

The medical image processing method of the present invention includes a display device that displays an image, an input device that receives input from an operator, and at least one device that can create a three-dimensional image representing the three-dimensional arrangement of a plurality of anatomical structures. A medical image processing method using a data storage unit storing a data set,
creating the three-dimensional image from the dataset;
simultaneously displaying the created three-dimensional image and a second image, which has a different format from the three-dimensional image but is associated with the three-dimensional image, on the display device;
creating an auxiliary image from information included in at least one of the three-dimensional image and the second image in response to input received by the input device or independently of the input; displaying on the other of the image and the second image;
including.

The medical image processing program of the present invention includes at least one of the three-dimensional images created from at least one data set stored in a data storage unit and capable of creating a three-dimensional image representing the three-dimensional arrangement of a plurality of anatomical structures. A medical image processing program that causes a computer to execute processing for displaying an image on a display device,
to the computer;
a process of creating the three-dimensional image from the data set;
a process of simultaneously displaying the created three-dimensional image and a second image different in format from the three-dimensional image but associated with the three-dimensional image on the display device;
A process of creating an auxiliary image from information included in at least one of the three-dimensional image and the second image, and displaying the auxiliary image on the other of the three-dimensional image and the second image;
Execute.

(Definitions of terms used in the present invention)
The term "anatomical structure" refers to objects that can be recognized within the subject, such as organs, bones, and blood vessels, and also includes fat, lesions such as tumors, and the like. Furthermore, even if it is one anatomical structure when viewed as a whole, anatomical structures that are divided into multiple units or have separate roles are treated as multiple anatomical structures. Sometimes. For example, the upper, middle, and lower lobes of the lung can be treated as separate anatomical structures, and the arterial and venous blood vessels can be treated as separate anatomical structures. can.

"Semi-transparent" in image display is a form of display of anatomical structures in three-dimensional images, and the transmittance is set so that other anatomical structures that are hidden can be seen. This includes displaying semi-transparent target anatomical structures in a state where they are hardly visible. The specific transmittance can be between 30% and 90%.

A "two-dimensional image" refers to an image that represents a cross section of an anatomical structure, and a "three-dimensional image" refers to an image that represents three-dimensional information two-dimensionally. A "two-dimensional image" is also sometimes referred to as a "cross-sectional image."

According to the present invention, when displaying a plurality of types of mutually related images on a display device, it is easy to visually grasp the correspondence between the displayed images, and images that can be effectively used in diagnosis and treatment are displayed. be able to.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a medical image processing system according to an embodiment of the invention. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an initial screen displayed on the display device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of display of a three-dimensional image and a two-dimensional image on the screen shown in FIG. 2. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating superposition of colored images in a two-dimensional image. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of display of a cross-sectional position indicated by a two-dimensional image on a three-dimensional image on a display device. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a display on a two-dimensional image and a three-dimensional image when a position on the two-dimensional image is specified in the display shown in FIG. 5. FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of parallel processing for input to both a three-dimensional image and a two-dimensional image. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of parallel processing for input to both a three-dimensional image and a two-dimensional image. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of parallel processing for input to both a three-dimensional image and a two-dimensional image. This is a diagram illustrating an example of the procedure for displaying a 2D image at a specified location on a 3D image in a 2D image display area, and the position of a cross section to be displayed on the 2D image is specified on the 3D image. It shows the stage of progress. This is a diagram illustrating an example of a procedure for displaying a two-dimensional image at a specified location on a three-dimensional image in the two-dimensional image display area, and the two-dimensional image at the specified location is displayed in the two-dimensional image display area. It shows the stages that have been completed. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the anatomical structure to which the specified location belongs is displayed semitransparently at the stage illustrated in FIG. 6. FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating changing the size of a three-dimensional image display area and a two-dimensional image display area, and shows a state in which the size of the two-dimensional image display area is expanded. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating changing the size of a three-dimensional image display area and a two-dimensional image display area, and shows a state in which the size of the three-dimensional image display area is expanded. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of a medical image processing system according to another embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed by operating a menu button icon on the screen shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating a three-dimensional image clipping function that can be selected from the screen shown in FIG. 9A. FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating a three-dimensional image clipping function that can be selected from the screen shown in FIG. 9A. FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating a three-dimensional image clipping function that can be selected from the screen shown in FIG. 9A. FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating a three-dimensional image perspective display function that can be selected from the screen shown in FIG. 9A. FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating a three-dimensional image perspective display function that can be selected from the screen shown in FIG. 9A. FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating a three-dimensional image perspective display function that can be selected from the screen shown in FIG. 9A. FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating a three-dimensional image split window display function that can be selected from the screen shown in FIG. 9A. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a translucent display and non-display function of a three-dimensional image. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a translucent display and non-display function of a three-dimensional image. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a translucent display and non-display function of a three-dimensional image. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a translucent display and non-display function of a three-dimensional image. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a translucent display and non-display function of a three-dimensional image. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a translucent display and non-display function of a three-dimensional image. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a translucent display and non-display function of a three-dimensional image. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a calculation function of a blood vessel controlled region. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a treatment support system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a block diagram of a medical image processing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, which includes at least an image display control section 11, a data storage section 12, a display device 13, and an input device 14. ing. In addition to these, the medical image processing system 1 may further include a data input/output interface 15, a medical information management device 21, a liquid drug injection device 22, and an imaging device 23. The medical image processing system 1 of this embodiment is configured to be able to simultaneously display a three-dimensional image and a second image, which is another type of image associated with the three-dimensional image, on the display device 13, and includes the following: In the following, a case where the second image is a two-dimensional image will be described as an example.

The display device 13 may be any display capable of displaying the image created by the image display control section 11, such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The input device 14 may be any device, such as a keyboard or a mouse, that can accept input operations by an operator and input data and the like to the image display control section 11 . Further, a touch panel that is a combination of a display and a touch screen can also be used as the display device 13 and the input device 14.

Furthermore, as the input device 14, a non-contact input unit that can perform input without contact can also be combined. Non-contact input units can be divided into those using gesture recognition technology and those using voice recognition technology.

An example of a non-contact input unit that uses gesture recognition technology is "Leap Sensor" (manufactured by Leap Motion). The "Leap sensor" is an input device that can recognize the movements of an operator's fingers in a non-contact manner, and includes an infrared irradiation unit, an infrared camera, and the like. An infrared camera captures the reflected light when the infrared rays emitted from the infrared irradiator hit the operator's hand, and performs image analysis to determine the position and movement of the operator's hand and fingers in three-dimensional space. It detects the shape, shape, etc. in real time.

Another example of a non-contact input unit that uses gesture recognition technology is "RealSense" (manufactured by Intel). "RealSense" is a module that includes a 3D camera consisting of an RGB camera and an infrared camera, an infrared sensor, etc., and can acquire depth information in addition to color information, and can detect the movements of the operator's fingers etc. in 3D. It can be recognized by

In this embodiment, both Leap sensor and RealSense can be used, and in both cases, the operator's operation for input is the operator's operation on the touch panel (e.g., tap, double tap, swipe, flick). In addition to the same actions as , pinch in, pinch out, etc., you can also use actions in the depth direction. During the actual input operation, a transparent flat plate made of acrylic resin or the like is placed at an appropriate position, and the input operation is performed using the flat plate as a reference surface to prevent misrecognition due to positional deviation in the depth direction. be able to.

A voice recognition unit can be cited as an example of a non-contact input unit that uses voice recognition technology. The voice recognition unit can include a microphone that acquires the voice generated by the operator, and a voice recognition device that recognizes the voice acquired by the microphone and converts it into an operation signal. Although the voice recognition device may be installed at any location, it is preferable to install the microphone near the operator.

The data storage unit 12 stores at least one data set capable of creating a three-dimensional image representing the three-dimensional arrangement of a plurality of anatomical structures. The data storage unit 12 can include at least one of an HDD (Hard Disc Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), and various types of memory. In addition to these two-dimensional image data and three-dimensional image data, the data storage section 12 may store at least one program, table, database, etc. necessary for the processing performed by the image display control section 11.

Data sets stored in the data storage unit 12 can be obtained from the medical information management device 21 through the data input/output interface 15. The data input/output interface 15 may be connected to the medical information management device 21 wirelessly or by wire. The medical information management device 21 includes PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication Systems), RIS (Radiology Information System), and HIS (Hospital Information System). m) etc.

The medical information management device 21 manages medical image data of a subject in which a drug solution (for example, a contrast agent) is injected by a drug solution injection device 22 and imaged by an imaging device 23 . As the drug solution injection device 22, any injection device that injects a drug solution such as a contrast medium filled into a syringe, a drug solution bag, or the like into a subject according to preset injection conditions can be used. The imaging device 23 is a medical image composed of image data, such as a CT (Computed Tomography) device, an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) device, an angiography device, a PET (Positoron Emission Tomography) device, or an ultrasound diagnostic device. to image It may be any device capable of The data set stored in the data storage unit 12 can also be acquired from the imaging device 23.

Here, to explain the data sets stored in the data storage unit 12, an example of the data set is a volume data set regarding a plurality of anatomical structures. The volume data set is generated by the imaging device 23 at fixed intervals (for example, 1 mm intervals) in a specific direction (for example, the body axis direction, the left-right direction, the front-back direction, a direction inclined to at least one of these directions, etc.). ) is a data set obtained by arranging a plurality (for example, 300) slice image data sequentially photographed in the body axis direction. Further, the data set stored in the data storage unit 12 may be raw data obtained directly or indirectly from the imaging device 23. In this case, the image display processing section 11 is preferably configured to reconstruct the raw data stored in the data storage section 12 and obtain an arbitrary image.

A volume data set consists of a plurality of voxels, and a plurality of anatomical structures can be extracted by predetermined processing based on the voxel value of each voxel. Transmittance and hue are then set for each voxel for each extracted anatomical structure. Therefore, each voxel includes coordinate information, transmittance information, and hue information. Anatomical structures are extracted in this way, and a three-dimensional image can be created by performing rendering processing on a volume data set in which transmittance and hue are set for each anatomical structure. Examples of rendering processing include volume rendering (VR) and maximum intensity projection (MIP).

Each process for creating a three-dimensional image from a volume data set, such as processing for extracting anatomical structures, setting transmittance and hue for each voxel, and rendering processing, may be a known process. A detailed explanation thereof will be omitted here. Further, extraction of the anatomical structure and setting of transmittance and hue in the volume data set may be performed by this image display control unit 11, or the anatomical structure is extracted in advance and the transmittance and hue are set. The volume dataset may be stored in the data storage unit 12.

A volume data set in which transmittance and hue are set for each anatomical structure is divided into a plurality of layers for each anatomical structure, and each voxel may include layer information. In this case, the volume data set may be stored in the data storage unit 12 as one data file having multiple layer information for each anatomical structure, or multiple data files each separated by layer information. It may be stored in the data storage unit 12 as a. The format in which the volume data set is stored may be arbitrarily selected by the operator when the volume data set is stored.

A two-dimensional image can be created by cutting out a volume data set at an arbitrary plane and reconstructing it. Such processing is called arbitrary section reconstruction (MPR). Two-dimensional images used in the medical field basically include an axial section perpendicular to the subject's body axis direction, a sagittal section perpendicular to the left-right direction of the subject, and a coronal section perpendicular to the anteroposterior direction of the subject.

These two-dimensional images can be created using two-dimensional image data at desired cross-sectional positions created from the volume data set. Two-dimensional image data can be created by the image display control section 11 using a volume data set stored in the data storage section 12. Alternatively, a plurality of two-dimensional image data (two-dimensional image data set) created in advance using a volume data set may be stored in the data storage unit 12 together with the volume data set that is the source thereof. In either case, when two-dimensional image data is created from volume data, the coordinate information of each voxel of the volume data is carried over to the two-dimensional image data, and therefore three-dimensional images and two-dimensional images based on common volume data Images have common coordinate data. Furthermore, when displaying a two-dimensional image, interpolation processing may be performed on the two-dimensional image data.

For example, when two-dimensional image data sets for a plurality of cross-sections such as the above-mentioned axial cross-section, sagittal cross-section, and coronal cross-section are stored in the data storage unit 12, the two-dimensional image data set includes a plurality of two-dimensional image data for all cross-sections. may be stored in the data storage unit 12 as one data file having a plurality of two-dimensional image data for each cross section, or as a plurality of data files each having a plurality of two-dimensional image data for each cross section.

Referring to FIG. 1 again, if the connection between the data input/output interface 15 and the medical information management device 21 is a wired connection, and the data input/output interface 15 is a connector with a detachable cable, and the data input/output interface 15 and the medical information management device 21 is a wireless connection, the medical image processing terminal 10 can be configured as the medical image processing system 1. The medical image processing terminal 10 is preferably configured such that an image display control section 11, a data storage section 12, a display device 13, an input device 14, and a data input/output interface 15 are housed in a single housing. The medical image processing terminal 10 is a portable terminal such as a tablet terminal or a notebook personal computer having a touch panel display. However, the medical image processing terminal 10 may be configured as a workstation in which the display device 13 and the input device 14 are configured as a separate unit from the image display control section 11.

The image display control section 11 can be configured with a computer unit including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and controls the display device according to input received by the input device 14. Various processes for controlling the display of images on 13 are executed. The processing performed by the image display control unit 11 may be realized by a computer program or by hardware using a logic circuit.

When the processing performed by the image display control section 11 is implemented by a computer program, the computer program can be stored in the data storage section 12 as described above. The computer program stored in the data storage unit 12 is executed by being loaded into the RAM of the image display control unit 11, and various processes are executed by cooperating with hardware such as a CPU.

The computer program may be stored on a computer readable recording medium. The recording medium that stores the computer program may be a non-transitory recording medium. The non-transitory recording medium is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a memory card, a CD-ROM, or the like. A computer program stored on a recording medium can be implemented in a computer unit via a suitable reader. An appropriate reader includes, for example, a card reader when the recording medium is a memory card, a CD drive when the recording medium is a CD-ROM, and the like.

Alternatively, the computer program may be downloaded to the computer unit from an external server via a communications network.

The image display control section 11 conceptually includes an input determination section 11a, a display processing section 11b, and an auxiliary image processing section 11c in order to execute various processes for controlling the display of images.

The input determination unit 11a determines what kind of processing the input received by the input device 14 should be performed on the image displayed on the display device 13 based on the type of the input device 14 that received the input, changes in the input signal, etc. Determine whether to do so.

The display processing unit 11b mainly performs processing regarding the display area of the display device 13 and processing regarding image display within the display area. These processes will be described using an example in which a volume data set is stored in the data storage unit 12 with further reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

In the display area processing, the display processing unit 11b converts the image display area on the screen of the display device 13 into a first display area and a second display area, specifically, a three-dimensional image display area 100a, as shown in FIG. and two-dimensional image display area 100b. The display processing unit 11b can also cause the display device 13 to display buttons (icons) used for input operations using the input device 14 and/or various marks according to inputs from the input device 14.

In the process of displaying an image within the display area, as shown in FIG. 3, a three-dimensional image 300 created from the volume data set stored in the data storage unit 12 is displayed in the three-dimensional image display area 100a. At the same time, a process is performed in which a two-dimensional image 200 corresponding to the position specified on the three-dimensional image 300 is created from the volume data set stored in the data storage unit 12 and displayed in the two-dimensional image display area 100b. conduct.

The auxiliary image processing unit 11c performs processing for displaying the two-dimensional image 200 displayed in the two-dimensional image display area 100b and displaying the auxiliary image on the three-dimensional image 300 displayed in the three-dimensional image display area 100a. In particular, it creates an auxiliary image from information included in at least one of the two-dimensional image 200 and the three-dimensional image 300, and displays the auxiliary image on the other of the two-dimensional image 200 and the three-dimensional image 300. It is configured so that it can be done. This process may be a process according to the input received by the input device 14, or may be a process according to a preset procedure regardless of the input from the input device 14.

Next, image processing by the above-described medical image processing system 1 will be described using an example in which the medical image processing system 1 is applied to a tablet-type medical image processing terminal 10. A tablet-type medical image processing terminal 10 described below includes an image display control section 11, a data storage section 12, a display device 13, an input device 14, and a data input/output interface 15 in one housing. This is a portable medical image processing terminal 10 equipped with a touch panel as an input device 14.

When the medical image processing terminal 10 is powered on and the medical image processing program is started, a series of processes described below are performed by the image display control unit 11.

First, as shown in FIG. 2, the display processing unit 11b divides the image display area of the display device 13 of the medical image processing terminal 10 into a three-dimensional image display area 100a and a two-dimensional image display area 100b and displays them. Furthermore, the display processing unit 11b causes the display device 13 to display various icons used for input operations by the operator. Various icons displayed on the display device 13 include at least one data read icon 111 used to read image data from the data storage section 12, an input selection icon 114 used to select the input device 14, and the like. The input selection icon 114 is effective when another input device 14 is connected as the input device 14, such as a Leap sensor or a voice recognition unit in addition to the touch panel.

When the operator taps the data read icon 111, this operation is determined by the input determination section 11a. The display processing unit 11b reads the volume data set from the data storage unit 12, creates a two-dimensional image 200 and a three-dimensional image 300 as shown in FIG. 3, and performs appropriate processing such as cross-sectional reconstruction processing or rendering processing, respectively. , are displayed in the two-dimensional image display area 100b and the three-dimensional image display area 100a. The two-dimensional image 200 displayed in the two-dimensional image display area 100b is the two-dimensional image 200 corresponding to the specified position in the three-dimensional image 300 displayed in the three-dimensional image display area 100a.

The orientation of the three-dimensional image 300 displayed at this time (the image viewed from the front and rear directions of the subject, the image viewed from the left and right directions of the subject, or the image viewed from the body axis direction of the subject) is determined by the display processing unit 11b. It may be predetermined by , or may be input from the input device 14 . In addition, the two-dimensional image 200 corresponds to a specified position in the three-dimensional image 300, but it is also important to know which position in the three-dimensional image 300 it corresponds to and in which direction the cross section is taken (the body axis of the subject). The display processing unit 11b may predetermine whether the cross section is an axial cross section perpendicular to the subject, a sagittal cross section perpendicular to the left-right direction of the subject, or a coronal cross section perpendicular to the front-back direction of the subject. It may also be input from . As an example, the three-dimensional image 300 can be determined so that an image seen from the front of the subject is displayed, and the two-dimensional image 200 can be determined so that an axial section passing through the center of the three-dimensional image 300 is displayed. Note that the orientation of the three-dimensional image 300 and the cross-section of the two-dimensional image 200 can be arbitrarily switched by tapping the display switching icons 112 and 113 displayed on the display device 13.

Further, the display processing unit 11b displays the three-dimensional image 300 displayed in the three-dimensional image display area 100a and the two-dimensional image 200 displayed in the two-dimensional image area 100b, individually or in conjunction with each other, and processes according to input from the input device 14 or according to predetermined settings. Some examples of display processing will be described below.

(Rotation, enlargement/reduction, parallel movement of three-dimensional images, etc.)
The display of the three-dimensional image 300 displayed in the three-dimensional image display area 100a can be changed by performing a predetermined input operation using the input device 14, such as rotation in any direction, enlargement/reduction, translation, etc. When the input device 14 is a touch panel, operations specific to the touch panel can be used to change these displays. This operation is determined by the input determination section 11a, and the display processing section 11b changes the display of the three-dimensional image 300 according to the determination result by the input determination section 11a. Examples of display changes include rotating the three-dimensional image 300 according to the swipe direction using a swipe operation, and reducing or enlarging the three-dimensional image 300 using a pinch-in/pinch-out operation. Furthermore, the three-dimensional image 300 can also be moved in parallel by sliding while touching two points.

(Changing the cross-sectional position of two-dimensional images, enlarging/reducing, etc.)
Similarly to the three-dimensional image 300, the display of the two-dimensional image 200 displayed in the two-dimensional image display area 100b, such as changing the cross-sectional position and enlarging/reducing, can be changed by predetermined input operations using the input device 14. be. As a display change, for example, the cross-sectional position represented by the displayed two-dimensional image 200 may be changed by performing a vertical swipe operation on a specific area (such as the right edge) within the two-dimensional image display area 100b. Can be mentioned. Further, similarly to the three-dimensional image 300, the two-dimensional image 200 can be displayed in a reduced or enlarged manner by pinch-in/pinch-out operations.

The auxiliary image processing unit 11c creates an auxiliary image from information included in at least one of the two-dimensional image 200 and the three-dimensional image 300, and displays the created auxiliary image on the other of the two-dimensional image 200 and the three-dimensional image 300. I do. Some examples of processing by the auxiliary image processing section 11c will be described below.

(Color display of specific anatomical structures in two-dimensional images)
In general, the three-dimensional image 300 is composed of multiple layers set for each anatomical structure, and in addition to coordinate information, multiple layer information indicating these layers and each layer (anatomical Each structure has different hue information. These pieces of information are information inherited from each voxel of the volume data set when the three-dimensional image 300 is created from the volume data set. The display processing unit 11b displays the three-dimensional image 300 in the three-dimensional image display area 100a according to this information. Therefore, the three-dimensional image 300 is displayed in different hues for each layer.

On the other hand, the two-dimensional image 200 is a monochrome image represented by gradation depending on the magnitude of the CT value, for example. If such a two-dimensional image 200 displays various anatomical structures arranged in a complicated manner, it may become difficult to interpret the two-dimensional image 200.

Therefore, the auxiliary image processing unit 11c creates two-dimensional images 201 and 202 for at least one layer 301 and 302 as auxiliary images, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The two-dimensional images 201 and 202 created here are two-dimensional images corresponding to the positions specified on the three-dimensional image 300, that is, images in the same cross section as the two-dimensional image 200 displayed in the two-dimensional image display area 100b. , two-dimensional images 201 and 202 for each layer 301 and 302. Furthermore, these two-dimensional images 201 and 202 are displayed in the same hue as the hue set in the corresponding layers 301 and 302, respectively. The auxiliary image processing unit 11c superimposes the created two-dimensional images 201 and 202 on the two-dimensional image 200 displayed in the two-dimensional image display area 100b.

Through the above processing, specific anatomical structures in the two-dimensional image 200 are displayed in the same hue as the three-dimensional image 300, so that the anatomical structures in the two-dimensional image 200 can be easily distinguished visually. become. The layer displayed as an auxiliary image on the two-dimensional image 200 may be determined in advance, or may be input using the input device 14.

Such display of the auxiliary image on the two-dimensional image 200 is particularly effective when applied to the vascular system. Blood vessels are observed as approximately circular in cross section perpendicular to their running direction. Further, the lymph nodes are also observed to have a substantially circular cross section. When a roughly circular anatomical structure is displayed on the two-dimensional image 200, the two-dimensional image 200 must be scrolled (changed in cross-sectional position) in order to determine whether it is a blood vessel or a lymph node. Must be. This is because lymph nodes are spherical while blood vessels are tube-shaped, so by scrolling you can understand the differences in their structures.

Therefore, in the three-dimensional image 300, if the layer 301 corresponding to the arterial blood vessels is displayed in red and the layer 302 corresponding to the venous blood vessels is displayed in blue, the red two-dimensional image 201 corresponding to the layer 301 and By displaying the blue two-dimensional image 202 corresponding to the layer 302 over the two-dimensional image 200, arterial blood vessels and venous blood vessels can be easily distinguished on the two-dimensional image 200. If the two-dimensional image 200 displayed in the two-dimensional image display area 100b displays a substantially circular anatomical structure that is not colored red or blue, the two-dimensional image 200 is scrolled. One can safely assume that the anatomical structure is a lymph node.

(Display the cross-sectional position of the 2D image on the 3D image)
The two-dimensional image 200 and the three-dimensional image 300 each have coordinate information that corresponds to the subject's body axis direction, left-right direction, and front-back direction. Therefore, by using the coordinate information of the two-dimensional image 200 and the three-dimensional image 300, the two-dimensional image displayed in the two-dimensional image display area 100b is displayed on the three-dimensional image 300 displayed in the three-dimensional image display area 100a. A cross-sectional position corresponding to image 200 can be represented.

An example is shown in FIG. For example, when a swipe operation is performed in a specific area (such as the right edge) in the two-dimensional image display area 100b as described in the above-mentioned change of the cross-sectional position of the two-dimensional image 200, the input determination unit 11a determines that the swipe operation has been performed. Depending on the position, it is determined that coordinates only in the body axis direction have been input. When such arbitrary coordinates in the two-dimensional image display area 100b are input from the input device 14 (touch panel in the example described here), the auxiliary image processing unit 11c displays the coordinates in the two-dimensional image display area 100b. A plane image 310 corresponding to the cross section represented by the two-dimensional image 200 is displayed as an auxiliary image at a position passing through the input coordinates in the three-dimensional image display area 100a. The planar image 310 is preferably displayed semitransparently so that the anatomical structure is not hidden by the planar image 310.

In this way, by displaying the plane image 310 corresponding to the cross section represented by the two-dimensional image 200 in the three-dimensional image display area 100a, the two-dimensional image 200 displayed in the two-dimensional image display area 100b becomes a three-dimensional image. It is possible to intuitively understand which position of the three-dimensional image 300 displayed in the display area 100a represents the cross section.

In the three-dimensional image display area 100a, in addition to the above-described planar image 310, a highlight contour image 311 is also displayed as an auxiliary image at a position corresponding to the contour of the anatomical structure in the cross section through which the planar image 310 passes. It may be displayed. More specifically, when arbitrary coordinates are input in the two-dimensional image display area 100b, the auxiliary image processing unit 11c displays a two-dimensional image of the three-dimensional image 300 displayed in the three-dimensional image display area 100a. The outline of the anatomical structure in the cross section represented by the two-dimensional image 200 displayed in the area 100b is displayed in a different hue from the other parts of the anatomical structure. By highlighting the outline of the anatomical structure in this manner, the above-mentioned effects can be better exhibited. "Highlighting" means displaying in a visually distinguishable hue that is different from the color of the target anatomical structure.

In the example described above, a case was explained in which coordinates in the body axis direction are input by inputting an input operation in a specific area on the two-dimensional image display area 100b, but when a swipe operation is performed on the two-dimensional image 200, the input determination unit 11a determines that coordinate information in the left-right direction (x-axis direction), front-back direction (y-axis direction), and body axis direction (z-axis direction) has been input according to the position where the swipe operation is performed. When arbitrary coordinates are input on the two-dimensional image 200 in this way, the auxiliary image processing unit 11c inputs the three-dimensional image 300 displayed in the three-dimensional image display area 100a, as shown in FIG. 5A. A cursor 320 is displayed as an auxiliary image at a position corresponding to the coordinates. Thereby, it is possible to intuitively understand which position on the three-dimensional image 300 the position specified on the two-dimensional image 200 corresponds to.

In this case, the auxiliary image processing unit 11c displays a line segment 210 representing the position in the left-right direction (x-axis direction) and a position in the front-back direction (y-axis direction) of the input coordinates on the two-dimensional image 200. It is preferable to display a line segment 211 representing . The intersection of these line segments 210 and 211 indicates the input coordinates. This makes it possible to visually understand the correspondence between the two-dimensional image 200 and the three-dimensional image 300.

The above-mentioned display of the plane image 310, display of the highlight contour image 311, display of the cursor 320, etc. using coordinate information may be performed individually, or two or more may be performed in combination. good.

(Parallel processing of multiple inputs)
When the input device 14 can accept multiple inputs at the same time, such as when the input device 14 is a touch panel, the image display control unit 11 performs processing in parallel according to the input regarding the two-dimensional image and the input regarding the three-dimensional image. can be executed. An example of parallel processing of a plurality of inputs when the input device 14 is a touch panel will be described below.

The medical image processing terminal 10 is configured to be able to accept input from the touch panel on the two-dimensional image display area 100b and further receive input from the touch panel on the three-dimensional image display area 100a. be done. When the image display control unit 11 receives input from both the two-dimensional image display area 100b and the three-dimensional image display area 100a, it can simultaneously execute predetermined processes according to the inputs received by each. The state in which input is being accepted on the two-dimensional image display area 100b means the state in which the operator is performing touch panel operations such as touching and sliding on the two-dimensional image display area 100b.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the operator specifies coordinates on the two-dimensional image display area 100b by touching any position on the two-dimensional image display area 100b, the auxiliary image processing unit 11c displays at least one of auxiliary images such as a flat image 310, a highlighted contour image 311, and a cursor 320 on the three-dimensional image area 100a. Further, the auxiliary image processing unit 11c displays line segments 210 and 211 representing the specified coordinate position on the two-dimensional image display area 100b.

In this state, when the operator receives an input for rotating, enlarging, reducing or parallelly moving the three-dimensional image on the three-dimensional image display area 100a, the image display control unit 11 controls the three-dimensional image display area 100a. Rotating and enlarging the three-dimensional image displayed on the three-dimensional image display area 100a according to the operation on the three-dimensional image display area 100a by the operator while displaying at least one of the auxiliary images on the area 100a. Perform operations involving , reduction, or translation. At this time, the auxiliary image processing unit 11c determines the position of the auxiliary images (plane image 310, highlight outline image 311, cursor 320, etc.) displayed in the three-dimensional image display area 100a, as shown in FIGS. 5C to 5D, for example. Move the three-dimensional image in response to rotation, enlargement, reduction, or translation.

In the examples shown in FIGS. 5B to 5D, the input on the two-dimensional image display area 100b is not changed. However, it is also possible to accept inputs on the three-dimensional image display area 100a while accepting changes in inputs on the two-dimensional image display area 100b. In this case as well, the image display control unit 11 executes a predetermined process according to a change in the input on the two-dimensional image display area 100b and a predetermined process according to the input on the three-dimensional image display area 100a. Can be executed simultaneously. Here, changing the input on the two-dimensional image display area 100b includes changing the coordinate position, changing the cross-sectional position described above, and the like.

(Specify the 2D image to be displayed on the 3D image)
In the example described so far, the two-dimensional image 200 displayed in the two-dimensional image display area 100b is changed by input to the two-dimensional image 200, such as an input operation within the two-dimensional image display area 100b. However, since the three-dimensional image 300 and the two-dimensional image 200 have position information that corresponds to each other, any two-dimensional image 200 can also be displayed as an auxiliary image by inputting coordinates in the three-dimensional image 300. An example will be described below with reference to FIGS. 6 and 6A.

First, the operator inputs arbitrary coordinates on the anatomical structure of the three-dimensional image 300 displayed in the three-dimensional image display area 100a using the input device 14. When the input device 14 is a touch panel, when the input device 14 is a touch panel, when an arbitrary position on the three-dimensional image 300 is tapped, the input determination unit 11a determines that the coordinates at the tapped position have been input. It can be carried out. When the coordinates are input, the auxiliary image processing unit 11c reads two-dimensional image data including the input coordinates from the data storage unit 12, and as shown in FIG. The thumbnail 400 of the image is displayed on the display device 13 as an auxiliary image.

The thumbnail 400 does not need to represent the entire anatomical structure in a cross section including the input coordinates, and may be a two-dimensional image of a predetermined range centered on the input coordinates. The size of the range displayed as the thumbnail 400 can be set in advance. Furthermore, it is preferable that the thumbnail 400 be displayed in a different area from the three-dimensional image display area 100a and the two-dimensional image display area 100b so that it can be distinguished from the two-dimensional image 200 and three-dimensional image 300 that are already displayed. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the thumbnail 400 is displayed between the three-dimensional image display area 100a and the two-dimensional image display area 100b, overlapping the three-dimensional image display area 100a and the two-dimensional image display area 100b. There is. Note that the auxiliary image processing unit 11c displays a pointer 330 at a position corresponding to the input coordinates on the three-dimensional image 300 so that the operator can recognize the position of the input coordinates on the three-dimensional image 300. It is preferable to let

When approving the displayed thumbnail 400, the operator makes an input to that effect from the input device 14. When the input device 14 is a touch panel, when the thumbnail 400 is tapped, the input determination unit 11a determines that the input indicating approval of the thumbnail 400 has been made, and thereby performs an input to approve the thumbnail 400. be able to. If the thumbnail 400 is not approved, the coordinates are input again.

When the thumbnail is approved, the auxiliary image processing unit 11c deletes the thumbnail display and displays the two-dimensional image 200 displayed as the thumbnail in the two-dimensional image display area 100b, as shown in FIG. 6A. As described above, it is possible to display the two-dimensional image 200 at the specified coordinates on the three-dimensional image 300. In this way, by allowing the two-dimensional image 200 to be displayed in the two-dimensional image display area 100b to be specified on the three-dimensional image 300, it is possible to more easily display the two-dimensional image 200 at a desired position. . Such processing is particularly effective when it is desired to check in detail a point of interest in the three-dimensional image 300 using the two-dimensional image 200.

When the two-dimensional image 200 to be displayed in the two-dimensional image display area 100b can be specified on the three-dimensional image 300, depending on the size of the anatomical structure displayed as the three-dimensional image 300, the intended coordinates may be specified. can be difficult. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when arbitrary coordinates on the anatomical structure of the three-dimensional image 300 are specified (input), the auxiliary image processing unit 11c processes the anatomical structure including the specified coordinates. It is preferable to display it semi-transparently. This allows you to easily check whether the specified coordinates are the intended coordinates.

(Semi-transparent display of anatomical structures, etc. in three-dimensional images)
The auxiliary image processing unit 11c can display a part of the image displayed in the three-dimensional image display area 100a semitransparently, as shown in FIGS. 5, 5A, and 7. 5 and 5A, a planar image 310 showing the position of the cross section represented by the two-dimensional image 200, and a portion of the anatomical structure displayed as the three-dimensional image 300 below the planar image 310 are displayed as translucent. has been done. Further, in FIG. 7, a specified anatomical structure among the anatomical structures displayed as the three-dimensional image 300 is displayed in a semi-transparent manner. In this way, by displaying a specific display semitransparently in the three-dimensional image 300, the state of the anatomical structure, etc. can be easily understood.

(Changing the size of the image display area)
The image display control unit 11 may perform size change processing to arbitrarily change the sizes of the three-dimensional image display area 100a and the two-dimensional image display area 100b in response to input from the input device 14. Changing the size will be explained using an example in which the input device 14 is a touch panel.

The display processing unit 11b displays a size change icon 115 at the boundary between the three-dimensional image display area 100a and the two-dimensional image display area 100b, as shown in FIG. 8A. When the operator performs a swipe operation on the size change icon 115 in the left/right direction as an input from the input device 14, the input determination unit 11a determines this operation as an input operation for changing the size of the image display area. The display processing unit 11b changes the display position of the size change icon 115 according to the input operation, specifically, according to the swipe operation direction, and changes the size change icon 115 as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. The sizes of the three-dimensional image display area 100a and the two-dimensional image display area 100b are changed so that the position 115 becomes the boundary between the three-dimensional image display area 100a and the two-dimensional image display area 100b. At the same time, the auxiliary image processing unit 11c changes the size of the three-dimensional image 300 according to the changed size of the three-dimensional image display area 100a, and changes the size of the two-dimensional image 300 according to the size of the two-dimensional image display area 100b. Change the size of 200. Such a size change is effective when it is desired to check the three-dimensional image 300 or the two-dimensional image 200 in detail.

(Various functions related to display)
The medical image processing system 1 can have various display-related functions in addition to those described above as functions executed by the image processing control unit 11. The two-dimensional image and the three-dimensional image can each have these functions separately. When having multiple functions, the image display control unit 11 can be configured to cause the display device 13 to display a function call icon group including a plurality of icons corresponding to the respective functions for calling various functions. . In this case, in order to ensure a sufficient effective display area of the three-dimensional image display area 100a and the two-dimensional image display area 100b, the image display control unit 11 normally hides the function call icon group and displays it as necessary. It is preferable that the

To this end, the image display control unit 11 can display menu button icons 500a and 500b in the three-dimensional image display area 100a and the two-dimensional image display area 100b, respectively, as shown in FIG. 9, for example. When the operator taps these menu button icons 500a and 500b, the image display control unit 11 displays a group of function call icons in the three-dimensional image display area 100a and the two-dimensional image display area 100b. When the user taps a desired icon from the icon group, a function corresponding to the tapped icon is selected.

The type and number of display-related functions that the medical image processing system 1 can have are not particularly limited and may be arbitrary. Some examples of display-related functions are described below.

(1) Revert function As mentioned above, the displayed orientation and size of a three-dimensional image can be changed arbitrarily, and the displayed cross-sectional position and size of a two-dimensional image can be changed arbitrarily. Can be done. The revert function is a function that initializes the display of a three-dimensional image and/or a two-dimensional image. Initializing the display means that the display processing unit 11b reads the data set from the data storage unit 12, executes appropriate processing, and creates an initial image to be displayed first in the three-dimensional image display area 100a and the two-dimensional image display area 100b. It means to display.

As shown in FIG. 9A, revert icons 520 and 560 are displayed in the three-dimensional image display area 100a and the two-dimensional image display area 100b, respectively. When the revert icon 520 on the three-dimensional image display area 100a is tapped, the image display control unit 11 executes the revert function on the three-dimensional image. When the revert icon 560 on the two-dimensional image display device 100b is tapped, the image display control unit 11 performs a revert function on the two-dimensional image.

The revert icon 520 or 560 may be displayed only in either the three-dimensional image display area 100a or the two-dimensional image display area 100b. In that case, the revert function may be performed on both the three-dimensional image and the two-dimensional image by tapping the displayed revert icon 520 or 560. Furthermore, when initializing the image, the currently displayed image may be changed to the initial image all at once, or may be changed gradually. By gradually changing the currently displayed image to the initial image, the user can easily understand the correspondence between the currently displayed image and the initial image.

(2) Clipping Function The clipping function is a function that cuts out and displays an arbitrary part of the three-dimensional image displayed in the three-dimensional image display area 100a. In the form shown in FIG. 9A, when the clipping icon 530 displayed as "BBox" is tapped, the image display control unit 11 executes the clipping process. An example of a three-dimensional image clipping process by the image display control unit 11 will be described below.

When the clipping process is executed, as shown in FIG. 10A, a three-dimensional image 600 in which an anatomical structure is arranged inside a hexahedron is displayed in the three-dimensional image display area 100a. The hexahedron is displayed as semi-transparent so that the user can see the anatomical structures located inside the hexahedron. Further, in the illustrated form, the hexahedron is a rectangular parallelepiped with each face being rectangular, but the shape of each face may be arbitrary depending on the three-dimensional shape of the anatomical structure. Note that in the description here, the size of the three-dimensional image display area 100a is enlarged in order to display the three-dimensional image in a large size to facilitate visual understanding.

When the user taps one surface 610 of the three-dimensional image 600 that is desired to be clipped, the tapped surface 610 is activated. It is preferable to visually distinguish the active surface from other surfaces so that the user can visually recognize which surface of the three-dimensional image 600 is active. For visual differentiation, the activated surface 610 may be displayed in a different color from the other surfaces, as shown in FIG. 10B, for example. Alternatively, the frame (side) of the active surface 610 may be displayed in a different color from the frames (sides) of other surfaces, or these may be combined.

When the user slides the active surface 610 in a direction corresponding to the direction perpendicular to the active surface 610 of the displayed three-dimensional image 600, as shown in FIG. 10C, the three-dimensional The original image 600 is clipped according to the sliding direction. At this time, if an anatomical structure exists on the clipped plane, the anatomical structure is displayed as a cross section on the clipped plane. When another surface is tapped in this state, the other tapped surface becomes active, and the three-dimensional image 600 can also be clipped with another surface in the same manner as described above.

Here, the processing of the three-dimensional image displayed on the three-dimensional image display area 100a has been described, but the display of the two-dimensional image on the two-dimensional image display area 100b can be changed in response to clipping of the three-dimensional image. It's okay. For example, when a portion cut out by clipping a three-dimensional image is displayed as a two-dimensional image on the two-dimensional image display area 100b, the portion corresponding to the cut portion may be hidden or It is possible to make the display visually distinguishable from the uncut portion, such as by displaying it in a different color.

(3) Perspective display function Parallel projection (also called "orthographic display") is usually used to display three-dimensional images. This is because the dimensional ratio of each part is drawn accurately. Perspective display is one of the expression methods that expresses a three-dimensional image using perspective projection to create a sense of perspective.

The form shown in FIG. 9A includes a perspective angle icon 540 that represents a three-dimensional image in perspective projection as one of the function selection icons. When the user taps this perspective angle icon 540, the image display control unit 11 displays a view angle adjustment icon 700 in the three-dimensional image display area 100a, as shown in FIG. 11A. When the user slides the viewing angle adjustment icon 700 while touching it, the viewing angle of the three-dimensional image displayed in the three-dimensional display area 100a becomes wider according to the sliding amount, as shown in FIGS. 11B and 11C. , parts that are closer to each other are displayed larger, and parts that are farther away are displayed smaller. This emphasizes the perspective of the three-dimensional image. At this time, by changing the size (for example, length) of the view angle adjustment icon 700 according to the sliding amount of the view angle adjustment icon 700, the user can easily understand the degree of perspective display.

By representing a three-dimensional image using perspective projection, it is possible to display an image that is close to the image seen through an endoscope. Therefore, the perspective display function is useful in endoscopic surgery, etc., such as when performing a procedure while comparing images obtained from an imaging device with images of actual organs obtained by an endoscope. Available.

(4) Split Window Function The medical image processing system can have a split window function. In that case, as shown in FIG. 9A, the function selection icon group includes a split window icon 550. When the user taps the split window icon 550, the image display control unit 11 executes the split window function.

The split window function is a function that divides the three-dimensional image display area 100a into a plurality of areas 101a and 102a and displays a three-dimensional image in each area 101a and 102a, as shown in FIG. 12A. The three-dimensional images displayed in each region 101a, 102a are changed in direction, size, anatomical structure to be displayed, etc. by processing of the image display control unit 11 based on a predetermined operation by the user on each region 101a, 102a. can be changed independently. The split window function can be effectively used when viewing anatomical structures from different directions at the same time.

In the form shown in FIG. 12A, the three-dimensional image display area 100a is divided horizontally, but it may be divided vertically. Further, each time the split window icon 550 is tapped, horizontal division, vertical division, and no division may be switched. Furthermore, the number of divisions of the three-dimensional image display area 100a may be three or more.

(5) Scene storage function The medical image processing system can have a scene storage function. In that case, as shown in FIG. 9A, the function selection icon group includes scene save icons 570a and 570b. When the user taps the scene save icon 570a or 570b, the image processing control unit 11 executes the scene save function.

The scene save function is a function that saves the currently displayed image in the medical image processing system. Specifically, the scene save function saves the currently displayed image in the medical image processing system. This is a function to newly store a data set including various types of data in the data storage unit 12. When the scene save icon 570a on the three-dimensional image display area 100a is tapped, the data set of the three-dimensional image displayed on the three-dimensional image display area 100a at that time is saved in the data storage unit 12 (see FIG. 1). By tapping the scene storage icon 570b on the two-dimensional image display area 100b, the data set of the two-dimensional image currently displayed on the two-dimensional image display area 100b is stored in the data storage unit 12. be done.

The saved images can be displayed as thumbnails 580 at appropriate positions, for example, a three-dimensional image can be displayed in the three-dimensional image display area 100a, and a two-dimensional image can be displayed in the two-dimensional image display area 100b. When the user taps a desired thumbnail 580, the image processing control unit 11 reads the corresponding data set from the data storage unit 12 and displays the 3D image or 2D image in the 3D image display area 100a or the 2D image display area 100b. Put it on the cover as an image. As a result, if it is desired to continue the work anew after the work with the medical image processing system has been interrupted, the image before the interruption can be quickly accessed.

Here, a case has been described in which there is both a scene save icon 570a for the three-dimensional image display area 100a and a scene save icon 570b for the two-dimensional image display area 100b, but it is also possible to have only one of them.

(6) Hiding objects and redisplaying hidden objects The medical image processing system can also have an object hiding function. In this case, it is also possible to further have a function of redisplaying the object that has been declared an emergency. The object may be an anatomical structure.

For example, in the state shown in FIG. 13A, the user selects an arbitrary object (parenchymal organ of the liver) 800 by tapping it in the three-dimensional image that is displayed in the three-dimensional image display area 100a and includes a plurality of objects. Then, as shown in FIG. 13B, the selected object 800 is displayed semitransparently. Further, as described above, the thumbnail 400 of the two-dimensional image corresponding to the selected object 800 may be displayed. When the selected object 800 is tapped again, the display of the object 800 is changed from semi-transparent to the original display, in other words, to non-transparent display with zero transmittance. In this manner, in this embodiment, each time the object 800 is selected, the display of the object 800 is switched between translucent display and non-transparent display.

The semi-transparent display of object 800 can include a plurality of semi-transparent displays with different degrees of transparency. In this case, it is preferable that the translucent display of the object 800 be switched so that the transparency gradually increases each time the user taps the object 800.

When an object 800 is selected, a group of icons 850 for selecting additional processing for the selected object 800 may be further displayed, as shown in FIG. 13B. Additional processing may include, for example, hiding the selected object. In this case, the icon group 850 may include a hidden icon 851.

When the user taps the hide icon 851 with the object 800 selected, the selected object 800 is hidden and other objects 801, 802, 803 (for example, the hepatic artery , hepatic vein and portal vein) are shown.

When the user selects another object (hepatic artery) 801 by tapping it in the state shown in FIG. 13C, the object 801 is displayed semitransparently as shown in FIG. , icon group 850 are displayed. When the user further taps the hide icon 851, the selected object 801 is hidden and only the other objects 802 and 803 are displayed, as shown in FIG. 13D.

Here, a case has been described in which the next object 801 is selected after the first object 800 is hidden, but when the first object 800 is selected and displayed semitransparently (FIG. 13B), the next object You can also choose. In this case, the first object 800 is displayed semitransparently, and the next object 801 is also displayed semitransparently. Further, the initial setting when the objects 800, 801, 802, and 803 are selected does not have to be translucent display, and may be non-display. For example, when object 800 is selected in the state shown in FIG. 13A, the selected object 800 may be hidden as shown in FIG. 13C. In this case, the hidden icon 851 for additional processing is not required.

There are times when you want to make a hidden object visible again. However, in this case, since the object to be displayed does not exist on the screen, the object cannot be selected.

Therefore, the medical image processing system can have a function of redisplaying the hidden object. The redisplay function can be called, for example, from the menu button icon 500a. As shown in FIG. 9A, the function selection icons displayed by tapping the menu button icon 500a may include a redisplay icon 510. However, if the hidden object does not exist, the unhide icon 510 is displayed in a different color and/or size than the other icons (520 to 550) of the function call icons, in other words in an inactive state. Ru. If there is a hidden object, the redisplay icon 510 is displayed in the same color and size as the other icons in the function call icon group, in other words in an active state, as shown in FIG. 13F.

When the user taps the active redisplay icon 510, a hidden object bar 910 is displayed, as shown in FIG. 13G. Hidden objects are displayed on the hidden object bar 910. The display format of the hidden object may be arbitrary, such as a list format, but it is preferable to display a thumbnail of an image representing the hidden object so that the user can intuitively understand the display format. In one form, thumbnails 901 and 902 are displayed, as shown in FIG. 13G. Among these thumbnails, when the user taps the thumbnail of an object that he wants to redisplay, the object corresponding to the tapped thumbnail is redisplayed on the three-dimensional image display area 100a. The hidden object bar 910 may be displayed all the time regardless of whether there is a hidden object, or it may be displayed automatically without any input from the user when a hidden object is present. good. In this case, the redisplay icon 510 is not necessary.

(7) Blood vessel dominated region calculation function If the three-dimensional image includes a parenchymal organ object and a blood vessel object, the blood vessel dominated region of the parenchymal organ (if a blood vessel is divided into multiple blood vessel parts at a branch, The dominant region of each divided blood vessel segment can be calculated. A medical image processing system can have this blood vessel dominated region calculation function. A known method such as the Voronoi method can be used to calculate the blood vessel controlled region.

For example, as shown in FIG. 13B, an icon group 850 for selecting additional processing includes a division icon 852, and when the user taps the division icon 852, the image processing control unit 11 executes the blood vessel controlled region calculation function. You can do as you like. In the state shown in FIG. 13B, blood vessel objects include an object (artery) 801, an object (vein) 802, and an object (portal vein) 803, and an object 800 (liver parenchymal organ) 800 is selected. . When the user taps the division icon 852 in this state, the image processing control unit 11 calculates the blood vessel dominated area and visually displays the object (parenchymal organ of the liver) 800 for each dominated area of the blood vessel objects 801, 802, and 803. The display of the band project (liver parenchymal organ) 800 is changed so that it can be distinguished. When the calculation of the blood vessel controlled region is completed, the calculation result 950 is displayed as shown in FIG. 14A.

Furthermore, in order to recombine and display the divided parenchymal organs, for example, as shown in FIG. 13B, the icon group 850 for selecting additional processing includes a combination icon 853, and the user taps the combination icon 853. Accordingly, the image processing control unit 11 can perform a process of recombining the divided real organs.

Above, we have explained some processes performed by the image display control unit 11, mainly focusing on the processes performed by the auxiliary image processing unit 11c, but each of the above-mentioned processes can be performed alone, or any two or more can be combined. You can also do it by

Moreover, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. An example of the change will be explained below.

(Data set stored in data storage)
The data set stored in the data storage unit 12 may be a two-dimensional image data set consisting of a plurality of slice image data captured by the imaging device 23. In this case, the display processing unit 11b may create the two-dimensional image 200 using the stored two-dimensional image data set, and may also perform the appropriate rendering processing described above to create the three-dimensional image 300. can.

(Second image)
The second image, which has a different format from the three-dimensional image, is not limited to a two-dimensional image. The second image usable with the present invention may be a video image of the actual surgery. The 3D image includes the organ that is the target of surgery, and by displaying the 3D image that includes the organ at the same time as the video image during surgery, it is possible to compare the 3D image with the actual image. You can proceed with the treatment. The video image is taken into the image display control unit 11 via the data input/output interface 15 and can be displayed on the display device 13 together with the three-dimensional image 300. It is preferable that the display size of one or both of the three-dimensional image 300 and the video image be enlarged or reduced as necessary so that the display sizes on the display device 13 match. The display size can be changed by input by the operator via the input device 14, or if the video image includes coordinate information, the image display control unit changes the display size so that it matches the coordinate information of the three-dimensional image. It is also possible to automatically change the display size through the processing by 11.

Further, other examples of the second image include two-dimensional or three-dimensional images of artificial implants such as artificial heart valves and stents, and various instruments used during surgery. These artificial implants and devices are usually manufactured based on CAD data, so CAD data exists. Since the CAD data includes information regarding dimensions, the display processing unit 11b associates this information with coordinate information such as a volume data set, and then displays the three-dimensional image created based on the volume data set and the CAD data. Images created based on the data can be displayed on the display device 1 in the same size, and changes in the display direction and size of one image can be displayed in conjunction with the other image. This allows for preoperative simulation of the suitability of artificial implants and devices for the patient. The CAD data may be stored in the data storage section 12 or may be obtained from outside through the data input/output interface 15. Further, the three-dimensional image based on the volume data set or the like and the image based on CAD data may be displayed side by side or may be displayed overlapping each other.

(Arrangement of two display areas on display device)
In the above embodiment, the screen of the display device 13 is divided into left and right parts, and the left side is the first display area and the right side is the second display area. However, the arrangement of the first display area and the second display area may be reversed left and right. Further, the left and right sides may be arbitrarily switched by an input by an operator via the input device 14.

Further, when the medical image processing system 1 is a portable medical image processing terminal 10, the orientation of the medical image processing terminal 10 can be changed arbitrarily.For example, when the medical image processing terminal 10 is oriented horizontally, the first display area and the first display area are arranged on the left and right, and when the medical image processing terminal 10 is oriented vertically, the first display area and the second display area are arranged vertically, etc., depending on the orientation of the medical image processing terminal 10. The arrangement of the regions may also be changed. The orientation of the arrangement of each display area may be changed by an input by the operator through the input device 14, or by detecting the orientation of the medical image processing terminal 10 with an appropriate sensor such as an acceleration sensor, and the detection result is It may also be possible to automatically switch based on.

(Transmittance of anatomical structures in three-dimensional image display)
The three-dimensional image 300 may be displayed semitransparently depending on the number of anatomical structures displayed and/or the importance of the display. In this case, the transmittance may be set for each file included in the data set, or may be set arbitrarily by the operator through input from the input device 14. It is also possible to set the transmittance in multiple stages for each anatomical structure.

Furthermore, if arterial blood vessels and venous blood vessels are displayed at least partially overlapping in the depth direction of the screen, complex-shaped anatomical structures overlap at least partially in the depth direction of the screen with other anatomical structures. In cases where multiple anatomical structures are displayed overlapping each other, or where many anatomical structures are displayed at least partially overlapping in the depth direction of the screen, the overlapping anatomical structures are all partially overlapped. When displayed transparently, it may be difficult to understand the context of anatomical structures. In such cases, if an anatomical structure is displayed that at least partially overlaps the back of the anatomical structure that is displayed as translucent, the overlapping part of the anatomical structure in the foreground will not be displayed. You can do it like this. By doing so, it is possible to easily grasp the context of the anatomical structures displayed semitransparently. This processing can be performed by the display processing section 11b.

(temporal phase of the dataset)
When acquiring a data set such as a volume data set using the imaging device 23, a contrast agent is often injected into a subject and the contrast effect of the contrast agent is utilized. In this case, due to differences in the time from injection of the contrast medium until it reaches each blood vessel, the time at which a contrast effect appears may vary depending on the type of anatomical structure. For example, contrast effects usually appear later in veins than in arteries. Therefore, there are two main methods for acquiring volume data sets for a plurality of anatomical structures, as shown below.

The first method is to inject a contrast agent, perform an imaging operation with the imaging device 23 after time t1, and use the data obtained thereby to perform an imaging operation based on a standard contrast effect value at time t1, for example, a CT value. It is a method of determining the type of anatomical structure. In this case, a plurality of volume data are created that are divided by anatomical structure and each acquired at the same time.

In the second method, a contrast agent is injected and the imaging device 23 performs an imaging operation at time t1 to obtain volume data, for example, about an arterial blood vessel, and then at time t2, the imaging device 23 performs an imaging operation again. , for example, is a method of acquiring volume data about venous blood vessels. In this case, a plurality of volume data are created, separated by anatomical structure and acquired at different times.

In the present invention, volume data obtained by any method can be used, and a volume data set is constructed by combining the volume data separated by each anatomical structure.

However, since the volume data set obtained by the first method has different contrast effect values for each anatomical structure, clear images may not be obtained for anatomical structures with low contrast effect values. In addition, since the volume data set created by the second method is data acquired at different times for each anatomical structure, changes in the subject's breathing or the position of the anatomical structure due to the difference in time, etc. This may cause deviations in the positional relationship of each anatomical structure.

In order to eliminate these problems, it is preferable to use a data set obtained by injecting a contrast agent using an injection method that allows appropriate contrast effects to be obtained for a plurality of anatomical structures in a single imaging operation. Therefore, the contrast agent injection phase is divided into multiple phases corresponding to multiple target anatomical structures, and the contrast agent injected in each phase takes one imaging operation time for each anatomical structure. It is preferable to inject the contrast medium using an injection method in which the phase interval is set to provide an appropriate contrast effect within the range of . As a result, it is possible to obtain a data set in which each anatomical structure is clearly depicted and an image can be created without positional deviation between the anatomical structures.

In the above injection method, the amount of contrast medium to be injected can be determined by a known method based on the subject's weight and the like. The determined injection amount is then distributed to each phase. The injection rate of the contrast medium in each phase may be constant or may be increased or decreased over time. Also, the injection rate may be different in each phase. The interval time can be set between 10 seconds and 120 seconds. Saline may also be injected during the interval between each phase and/or after the last phase.

(Outputting images to other devices)
The display processing unit 11b displays at least one of the created three-dimensional image 300 and two-dimensional image 200 (second image) on the display device 13, and outputs it as data to another device via the data input/output interface 15. You can also do this. In order to output images to other devices, the other devices are connected to the image display control section 11 via a data input/output interface 15 by wire or wirelessly.

A projection device is an example of another device that outputs the image created by the display processing unit 11b. As shown in FIG. 15, the projection device 30 includes a light source 31, an image forming processing unit 32 that forms a projection image based on an image input as data using light from the light source, and a It can include a projection optical system 33 that projects the emitted light. The image forming processing section 32 can include, for example, an image forming element such as a liquid crystal panel, and a controller that controls the image forming element. By placing the projection device 30 at a position where it projects an image onto the body of a patient undergoing treatment such as surgery, the projection device 30 is combined with, for example, the medical image processing terminal 10 to configure a treatment support system. be able to.

In such a treatment support system, prior to treatment of a patient, a data set previously acquired for the patient is stored in the data storage unit 12 of the medical image processing terminal 10. The image display control unit 11 (specifically, the display processing unit 11b) of the medical image processing terminal 10 creates an image including at least the three-dimensional image 300 from the data set stored in the data storage unit 12 according to the processing procedure described above. do. The created image is displayed on the display device 13 and outputted to the projection device 30 by an operator's operation or automatically.

When the created image is output to the projection device 30, the image output to the projection device 30 is projected from the projection device 30 onto the patient's body. For example, when the three-dimensional image 300 is output to the projection device 30, the same three-dimensional image 300 as the three-dimensional image 300 displayed on the display device 13 is projected onto the patient's body by the projection device 30. The operator adjusts the display size and position of the three-dimensional image 300 displayed on the display device 13 by appropriately operating the input device 14 to adjust the display size and position of the three-dimensional image 300 projected onto the patient's body. The size and position of image 300 can be adjusted to match on corresponding parts of the patient's body. By doing so, it is possible to efficiently perform treatment on a patient while checking the anatomical structure projected onto the patient's body as an image.

As mentioned above, the hue is set for each anatomical structure in the three-dimensional image 300, but the image displayed on the body may be difficult to see depending on the relationship with the hue of the actual anatomical structure. There are cases. Therefore, it is preferable that the image display control section 11 is configured to be able to arbitrarily set the hue of the anatomical structure of the three-dimensional image 300 created by the display processing section 11b. The image display control unit 11 also has a function of locking at least one or any combination of two or more of the size change, rotation, and movement of the displayed image by an operator's operation etc. once the size of the projected image is determined. (a function that prohibits changes).

The projection device 30 may have a correction function that can obtain a projected image similar to that when projected onto a plane, for example, depending on the three-dimensional shape of the body of the patient on which the image is projected. For such a correction function, for example, a computer program for performing so-called "projection mapping" can be used. In this case, for example, a grid is projected onto the patient, it is analyzed to obtain data, and while using that data, image processing is performed to correct expected image distortion. This allows images to be obtained without being affected by the three-dimensional shape of the patient's body.

(actual size display function)
When the data set on which the three-dimensional image 300 is based is a volume data set, the actual dimensions of each voxel can be determined from the coordinate information possessed by the volume data set. On the other hand, the display device 13 can display the image in its actual size by appropriately changing the size of the displayed image according to the pixel pitch of the display device 13. Therefore, by determining the actual dimension per voxel of the volume data set and making the determined actual dimension per voxel correspond to the pixel pitch of the display device 13, the image is displayed in the actual size on the display device 13. can be done. The above actual size display processing can be performed by the display processing section 11b. In addition, the image display control unit 11 has a function of locking at least one or any combination of two or more of the size change, rotation, and movement of the displayed image by the operator's operation after executing the actual size display process. It may also have a function that makes it impossible to change.

The actual size display of the image on the display device 13 can be performed by an operation by the operator. For operation by the operator, the display processing unit 11b causes the display device 13 to display an actual size display icon for executing actual size display, and when the operator taps this icon, the above actual size display process is executed. You can make it run.

As the pixel pitch used in the actual size display process, a value defined as the specification of the display device 13 can be used. Alternatively, the pixel pitch can also be calculated from the screen size of the display device 13 and the number of vertical and horizontal pixels.

As described above, by displaying an image in actual size on the display device 13, for example, in the preparation stage of a procedure for implanting an artificial heart valve in a patient, a cross-sectional image of the vicinity of the patient's heart can be displayed in the actual size on the display device 13. The artificial heart valve to be transplanted (or its physical model) is placed on the image displayed on the display device 13 while the artificial heart valve is displayed in a large size, and it is confirmed whether the artificial heart valve is of a size suitable for the patient, etc. It can be used for.

(Additional note)
Although the present invention has been described above, this specification discloses the invention described below. However, the disclosure of this specification is not limited to the following invention.

[1] A display device that displays an image,
an input device that accepts input from an operator;
a data storage unit storing at least one data set capable of creating a three-dimensional image representing a three-dimensional arrangement of a plurality of anatomical structures;
an image display control unit that controls display of the image on the display device according to input received by the input device;
has
The image display control section includes:
creating at least the three-dimensional image from the data set;
a process of simultaneously displaying the created three-dimensional image and a second image different in format from the three-dimensional image but associated with the three-dimensional image on the display device;
creating an auxiliary image from information included in at least one of the three-dimensional image and the second image in response to input received by the input device or independently of the input; processing for displaying on the other of the image and the second image;
A medical image processing system configured to perform.

[2] The medical image processing system according to [1], wherein the second image is a two-dimensional image representing a cross section of the plurality of anatomical structures.

[3] The three-dimensional image is composed of a plurality of layers set for each anatomical structure,
The information includes a plurality of layer information that is information indicating the plurality of layers,
The image display control unit, in the process of displaying the auxiliary image,
a process of displaying the three-dimensional image in different hues for each layer;
For at least one layer among the plurality of layers, a cross-sectional image of the three-dimensional image at a cross-section corresponding to the cross-section represented by the two-dimensional image is used as the auxiliary image in the same color as that displayed in the three-dimensional image. Processing to create with hue,
A process of superimposing the cross-sectional image on the two-dimensional image,
The medical image processing system according to [2], which is configured to perform.

[4] The plurality of anatomical structures include arterial blood vessels and venous blood vessels,
In the process of creating the cross-sectional image, the image display control unit is configured to perform a process of creating the cross-sectional image for a layer set as the arterial blood vessel and a layer set as the venous blood vessel. The medical image processing system according to [3].

[5] The medical image processing system according to any one of [2] to [4], wherein the information includes coordinate information common to the three-dimensional image and the two-dimensional image.

[6] In the process of displaying the auxiliary image, when arbitrary coordinates on the two-dimensional image are input from the input device, the image display control section displays a cross section represented by the two-dimensional image being displayed. The medical image processing system according to [5], which performs processing including processing to display a corresponding planar image as the auxiliary image at a position passing through the inputted coordinates on the three-dimensional image.

[7] In the process of displaying the auxiliary image, when arbitrary coordinates on the two-dimensional image are input from the input device, the image display control unit displays a cross section represented by the displayed two-dimensional image. [5] or [6] performing a process including a process of displaying a highlight contour image representing the contour of the anatomical structure in a hue different from other parts on the three-dimensional image as the auxiliary image. The medical image processing system described in ].

[8] In the process of displaying the auxiliary image, when arbitrary coordinates on the two-dimensional image are input from the input device, the image display control unit displays the input coordinates on the three-dimensional image. The medical image processing system according to any one of [5] to [7], which performs processing including displaying a cursor as the auxiliary image at a corresponding position.

[9] In the process of displaying the auxiliary image, when arbitrary coordinates on the anatomical structure of the three-dimensional image are input from the input device, the image display control unit adjusts the coordinates to the input coordinates. The medical device according to [5], wherein the process includes displaying a thumbnail of the two-dimensional image having the matching coordinate information on the display device as the auxiliary image, separately from the two-dimensional image and the three-dimensional image. Image processing system.

[10] In the process of displaying the auxiliary image, when an input indicating approval of the thumbnail is input from the input device, the image display control unit further performs a process of enlarging and displaying the thumbnail.[9 The medical image processing system described in ].

[11] When one of the anatomical structures on the three-dimensional image is specified by input from the input device, the image display control unit displays the specified anatomical structure in a translucent manner. The medical image processing system according to any one of [1] to [10], which is configured to further perform processing.

[12] The image display control unit controls the size of a three-dimensional image display area in which the three-dimensional image is displayed and a second image display area in which the second image is displayed, in response to an input from the input device. The medical image processing system according to any one of [1] to [10], which is configured to further perform changing processing.

[13]
In the size change process, the image display control unit includes:
Displaying a size change icon between the three-dimensional image display area and the second image display area;
a process of changing the display position of the size change icon according to an input from the input device;
The medical image processing system according to [12], which performs a process of changing the size of the three-dimensional image display area and the second image display area according to the display position of the size change icon.

[14] A display device that displays an image, an input device that accepts input from an operator, and data that stores at least one data set that can create a three-dimensional image representing the three-dimensional arrangement of a plurality of anatomical structures. A medical image processing method using a storage unit,
creating the three-dimensional image from the dataset;
simultaneously displaying the created three-dimensional image and a second image different in format from the three-dimensional image but associated with the three-dimensional image on the display device;
creating an auxiliary image from information included in at least one of the three-dimensional image and the second image in response to input received by the input device or independently of the input; displaying on the other of the image and the second image;
A medical image processing method including.

[15] Displaying on a display device at least the three-dimensional image created from at least one data set that is stored in the data storage unit and is capable of creating a three-dimensional image representing the three-dimensional arrangement of a plurality of anatomical structures. A medical image processing program that causes a computer to execute a process,
to the computer;
a process of creating the three-dimensional image from the data set;
a process of simultaneously displaying the created three-dimensional image and a second image different in format from the three-dimensional image but associated with the three-dimensional image on the display device;
A process of creating an auxiliary image from information included in at least one of the three-dimensional image and the second image, and displaying the auxiliary image on the other of the three-dimensional image and the second image;
A medical image processing program that executes.

[16] A computer-readable recording medium storing the medical image processing program according to [15].

1 Medical Image Processing System 10 Medical Image Processing Terminal 11 Image Display Control Unit 11a Input Judgment Unit 11b Display Processing Unit 11c Auxiliary Image Processing Unit 12 Data Storage Unit 13 Display Device 14 Input Device 15 Data Input/Output Interface 21 Medical Information Management Device 22 Medical Solution Injection device 23 Imaging device 100a Three-dimensional image display area 100b Two-dimensional image display area 200 Two-dimensional image 300 Three-dimensional image
400 thumbnail

Claims (16)

a display device that displays images;
an input device that accepts input from an operator;
a data storage unit storing at least one data set capable of creating a three-dimensional image representing a three-dimensional arrangement of a plurality of anatomical structures;
an image display control unit that controls display of the image on the display device according to input received by the input device;
has
The image display control section includes:
creating at least the three-dimensional image from the data set;
a process of simultaneously displaying the created three-dimensional image and a second image different in format from the three-dimensional image but associated with the three-dimensional image on the display device;
creating an auxiliary image from information included in at least one of the three-dimensional image and the second image in response to input received by the input device or independently of the input; processing for displaying on the other of the image and the second image;
A medical image processing system configured to perform. The medical image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the second image is a two-dimensional image representing a cross section of the plurality of anatomical structures. The three-dimensional image is composed of a plurality of layers set for each anatomical structure,
The information includes a plurality of layer information that is information indicating the plurality of layers,
The image display control unit, in the process of displaying the auxiliary image,
a process of displaying the three-dimensional image in different hues for each layer;
For at least one layer among the plurality of layers, a cross-sectional image of the three-dimensional image at a cross-section corresponding to the cross-section represented by the two-dimensional image is used as the auxiliary image in the same color as that displayed in the three-dimensional image. Processing to create with hue,
A process of superimposing the cross-sectional image on the two-dimensional image,
The medical image processing system according to claim 2, wherein the medical image processing system is configured to perform the following. The plurality of anatomical structures include arterial blood vessels and venous blood vessels,
In the process of creating the cross-sectional image, the image display control unit is configured to perform a process of creating the cross-sectional image for a layer set as the arterial blood vessel and a layer set as the venous blood vessel. The medical image processing system according to claim 3. The medical image processing system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the information includes coordinate information common to the three-dimensional image and the two-dimensional image. In the process of displaying the auxiliary image, the image display control unit, when arbitrary coordinates on the two-dimensional image are input from the input device, displays a plane corresponding to a cross section represented by the displayed two-dimensional image. 6. The medical image processing system according to claim 5, wherein processing includes processing for displaying an image as the auxiliary image at a position passing through the inputted coordinates on the three-dimensional image. In the process of displaying the auxiliary image, when arbitrary coordinates on the two-dimensional image are input from the input device, the image display control unit displays the anatomy in the cross section represented by the displayed two-dimensional image. 7. The medical device according to claim 5, wherein a process including a process of displaying a highlighted contour image representing a contour part of a medical structure in a hue different from other parts as the auxiliary image on the three-dimensional image is performed. Image processing system. In the process of displaying the auxiliary image, when arbitrary coordinates on the two-dimensional image are input from the input device, the image display control unit displays a position of the three-dimensional image corresponding to the input coordinate. 8. The medical image processing system according to claim 5, wherein the medical image processing system performs a process including a process of displaying a cursor as the auxiliary image. In the process of displaying the auxiliary image, when arbitrary coordinates on the anatomical structure of the three-dimensional image are input from the input device, the image display control unit displays the coordinates corresponding to the input coordinates. 6. The medical image processing system according to claim 5, wherein processing includes processing for displaying a thumbnail of the two-dimensional image having coordinate information on the display device as the auxiliary image separately from the two-dimensional image and the three-dimensional image. . 10. The image display control unit further performs a process of enlarging and displaying the thumbnail when an input indicating approval of the thumbnail is input from the input device in the process of displaying the auxiliary image. medical image processing system. When one of the anatomical structures on the three-dimensional image is specified by an input from the input device, the image display control unit further performs a process of displaying the specified anatomical structure in a translucent manner. 11. A medical image processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, configured to perform. The image display control unit changes the size of a three-dimensional image display area in which the three-dimensional image is displayed and a second image display area in which the second image is displayed in accordance with an input from the input device. The medical image processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further configured to perform change processing. In the size change process, the image display control unit includes:
Displaying a size change icon between the three-dimensional image display area and the second image display area;
a process of changing the display position of the size change icon according to an input from the input device;
The medical image processing system according to claim 12, which performs a process of changing the sizes of the three-dimensional image display area and the second image display area according to the display position of the size change icon. a display device that displays an image; an input device that receives input from an operator; and a data storage unit that stores at least one data set capable of creating a three-dimensional image representing a three-dimensional arrangement of a plurality of anatomical structures. A medical image processing method using,
creating the three-dimensional image from the dataset;
simultaneously displaying the created three-dimensional image and a second image, which has a different format from the three-dimensional image but is associated with the three-dimensional image, on the display device;
creating an auxiliary image from information included in at least one of the three-dimensional image and the second image in response to input received by the input device or independently of the input; displaying on the other of the image and the second image;
A medical image processing method including. A process of displaying on a display device at least the three-dimensional image created from at least one data set stored in the data storage unit and capable of creating a three-dimensional image representing the three-dimensional arrangement of a plurality of anatomical structures. A medical image processing program that is executed by a computer,
to the computer;
a process of creating the three-dimensional image from the data set;
a process of simultaneously displaying the created three-dimensional image and a second image different in format from the three-dimensional image but associated with the three-dimensional image on the display device;
A process of creating an auxiliary image from information included in at least one of the three-dimensional image and the second image, and displaying the auxiliary image on the other of the three-dimensional image and the second image;
A medical image processing program that executes. A computer-readable recording medium storing the medical image processing program according to claim 15.

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