Patent Description:
In a medical field, diagnosis is performed using a radiographic image obtained by imaging a subject irradiated with radiation using a radiation detection unit. In a case in which a radiographic image is captured, an imaging menu for specifying a part to be imaged, a posture, and a direction with respect to a radiation source that emits radiation is registered in advance, and imaging control is performed on the radiation source or the radiation detection unit on the basis of the set imaging menu. A large number of imaging menus are provided, and an imaging menu corresponding to an imaging order from a doctor who is an imaging requester is selected from the large number of imaging menus. In a facility into which a radiology information system (RIS) is introduced, it is possible to automatically register an imaging menu from an imaging order. However, in a facility into which the RIS is not introduced, a radiology technician who handles the radiation detection unit needs to manually register the imaging menu.

In regard to this, in <CIT>, the registration of an imaging menu in the facility into which the RIS is not introduced is assumed, the positioning of a subject is imaged by a camera provided on the radiation source side, and the imaging menu is registered using the positioning image obtained by the imaging. <CIT> discloses a radiography system and machine readable medium storing program. <CIT> discloses an apparatus, method and memory medium for processing a radiation image. <CIT> discloses a failed image management apparatus, an operation method of the failed image management apparatus, and a failed image management system. <CIT> discloses an imaging method and modality for medical application.

In a case in which the imaging order from the RIS includes a plurality of imaging menus, the subject is usually imaged in the order of the imaging menus predetermined in the imaging order. However, it may be better to change the predetermined order of the imaging menus and to image the subject, depending on the situation of a patient who is the subject. In this case, the radiology technician instructs the subject to change the positioning according to the changed imaging menu. After that, the radiology technician needs to move to a console installation room different from the imaging room in which radiography is performed and to operate the console to change the setting to the changed imaging menu. In this case, it takes a lot of time and effort to change the setting of the imaging menu, and a mistake is likely to occur in the operation of changing the setting of the imaging menu.

In contrast, the application of <CIT> in which the positioning of the subject is imaged by the camera is considered. However, since <CIT> is premised on radiography in the facility into which the RIS is not introduced, the imaging menu has not been registered yet at the time when imaging is performed. Therefore, in <CIT>, the positioning image captured by the camera is not used for automatic selection from the registered imaging menus, but is used for setting the imaging menu.

An object of the invention is to provide a radiography system, a method for operating the radiography system, and a console for a radiography system that can eliminate the time and effort required to change the setting of an imaging menu associated with a change in the positioning of a subject even in a case in which the position of the subject with respect to a radiation source is changed according to the situation of the subject.

According to the invention, there is provided a radiography system as claimed in claim <NUM>.

Preferably, the processor is configured to recognize positioning of the subject on the basis of the positioning image and to select an imaging menu corresponding to the positioning as the imaging menu corresponding to the positioning image from the imaging menus registered in the imaging menu registration memory.

Preferably, the processor is configured to perform pattern matching between model data predetermined corresponding to positioning of the subject and the positioning image and to select an imaging menu corresponding to the positioning of the subject obtained by the pattern matching as the imaging menu corresponding to the positioning image.

Preferably, the imaging menu transmitted from an external radiology information system is received and registered in the imaging menu registration memory. Preferably, the imaging menu includes information related to a part to be subjected to positioning imaging in the subject and a posture and a direction of the subject. Preferably, the positioning imaging device is attached on a radiation source side, and the subject facing the radiation detection unit is included in a range of a field of view of the positioning imaging device.

Preferably, the processor is configured to issue an alert to a user in a case in which the imaging menu corresponding to the positioning image is an imaging menu that has not been registered in the imaging menu registration memory and a first operation related to the imaging of the subject is performed. Preferably, in a case in which the alert is issued and a second operation related to the imaging of the subject is performed, the unregistered imaging menu is additionally registered in the imaging menu registration memory, and the processor is configured to select the additionally registered imaging menu.

According to the invention, there is provided a console for a radiography system as claimed in claim <NUM>.

According to the invention, there is provided a method for operating a radiography system as claimed in claim <NUM>.

According to the invention, it is possible to eliminate the time and effort required to change the setting of an imaging menu associated with a change in the positioning of a subject even in a case in which the position of the subject with respect to a radiation source is changed according to the situation of the subject.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a radiography system <NUM> images a subject using radiation to acquire a radiographic image. The radiography system <NUM> comprises a radiation source <NUM>, a radiation detection unit <NUM>, a positioning imaging device <NUM>, a console <NUM> (a console for a radiography system), and a display unit <NUM>. The radiation source <NUM>, the radiation detection unit <NUM>, and the positioning imaging device <NUM> are provided in an imaging room <NUM> in which a subject H is imaged. The console <NUM> is connected to the radiation source <NUM>, the radiation detection unit <NUM>, and the positioning imaging device <NUM> and is provided in a console installation room <NUM> different from the imaging room <NUM>.

The radiation source <NUM> is provided so as to face the radiation detection unit <NUM>. The radiation source <NUM> irradiates the subject H facing the radiation detection unit <NUM> with radiation, such as X-rays or γ-rays, in response to an imaging instruction from the console <NUM>. The radiation detection unit <NUM> detects the radiation transmitted through the subject to obtain a radiographic image in response to an imaging instruction from the console <NUM>. The obtained radiographic image is transmitted to the console <NUM>. The console <NUM> performs various kinds of image processing on the radiographic image. The radiographic image subjected to various kinds of image processing is displayed on the display unit <NUM>.

It is preferable that the positioning imaging device <NUM> is a visible light camera that images the subject H illuminated by visible light. The positioning imaging device <NUM> is attached on the side of the radiation source <NUM>, such as in the vicinity of the radiation source <NUM>, and the subject H facing the radiation detection unit <NUM> is included in the range of the field of view of the positioning imaging device <NUM>. The positioning imaging device <NUM> images the subject H facing the radiation detection unit <NUM> to acquire a positioning image of the subject H. It is preferable that the positioning image is an image after a part to be subjected to positioning imaging in the subject H and the posture and direction of the subject H are positioned with respect to the radiation detection unit <NUM> by a radiology technician. The obtained positioning image is transmitted to the console <NUM>.

The positioning image is used for selecting an imaging menu in the console <NUM>, which will be described below. In addition, the positioning image may be acquired in response to a positioning imaging instruction from the console <NUM>. Further, the positioning image may be always acquired. In this state, the positioning image may be transmitted to the console <NUM> at the timing when the imaging menu is selected.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the console <NUM> comprises an imaging order receiving unit <NUM>, an imaging menu registration memory <NUM>, an imaging menu selection unit <NUM>, and a system control unit <NUM>. For example, the console <NUM> is used by the radiology technician to operate the radiation source <NUM> or the radiation detection unit <NUM>. The imaging order receiving unit <NUM> receives an imaging order transmitted from an external radiology information system (RIS). The imaging order is displayed on the display unit <NUM> at an appropriate timing. In addition, the imaging order is registered in the RIS by an imaging requester, such as a doctor, in a clinical department.

Further, in the console <NUM>, a program related to, for example, an imaging menu selection process is incorporated in a program memory (not illustrated). The system control unit <NUM> configured by the processor executes the program to implement the functions of, for example, the imaging order receiving unit <NUM>, the imaging menu selection unit <NUM>, a positioning recognition unit <NUM>, a comparison unit <NUM>, and an alert generation unit <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the imaging order includes, for example, order identification data (ID), a subject ID, and an imaging menu. The order ID is symbols or numbers (for example, "OD0001") for identifying each imaging order and is automatically assigned by the RIS. The subject ID is symbols or numbers (for example, "H0500") for identifying the subject H. The imaging order may be transmitted by a hospital information system (HIS) in addition to the RIS.

The imaging menu is information that is related to the imaging of the subject H and is necessary for making a diagnosis using a radiographic image. Specifically, the imaging menu includes information related to the part to be subjected to positioning imaging in the subject H and the posture and direction of the subject H (for example, a "chest", a "decubitus position", and a "front"). The part to be subjected to positioning imaging in the subject H is, for example, a head, a cervical spine, a chest, an abdomen, a hand, a finger, or an elbow. The direction of the subject H is, for example, the direction of the subject H with respect to the radiation source <NUM>, such as the front, the side, or the rear. Further, the imaging order is provided with subject information items, such as the name, sex, age, height, and weight of the subject H. In addition, the imaging order is provided with the following items: the clinical department to which the imaging requester belongs; the ID of the imaging requester; the date and time when the imaging order was received by the RIS; the purpose of imaging, such as postoperative follow-up or the effect determination of therapeutic agents; and matters to be handed over from the imaging requester to the radiology technician.

One or a plurality of imaging menus in the imaging order received from the RIS are registered in the imaging menu registration memory <NUM> in advance. In addition, the imaging conditions corresponding to the imaging menu are registered in the imaging menu registration memory <NUM> in association with the registration of the imaging menu. The system control unit <NUM> performs imaging control on the radiation source <NUM> or the radiation detection unit <NUM> according to the imaging menu registered in the imaging menu registration memory <NUM>. The imaging control includes at least control of, for example, irradiating the subject H with radiation from the radiation source <NUM> and detecting the radiation transmitted through the subject to obtain a radiographic image and also includes the processing of the radiographic image by the console <NUM> and the display of the processed radiographic image on the display unit <NUM>. In addition, for the imaging control, it is preferable that the user operates a user interface <NUM> connected to the console to start the imaging control in accordance with a radiography instruction from the user.

In the imaging menu registration memory <NUM>, the relationship between the imaging menu and the imaging conditions is stored in an imaging menu table (not illustrated) in advance. The imaging conditions include, for example, irradiation conditions, such as the tube voltage, tube current, or irradiation time of the radiation source <NUM>, driving conditions for the radiation detection unit <NUM>, or image processing conditions related to image processing on the radiographic image obtained by the radiation detection unit <NUM>.

Further, in a case in which there are a plurality of imaging menus, the order of the imaging control based on the imaging menus is preset as a specific order in the imaging menu registration memory <NUM>. For example, in a case in which four imaging menus, that is, an imaging menu A (the "chest", the "decubitus position", and the "front"), an imaging menu B (the "chest", the "decubitus position", and a "rear"), an imaging menu C (the "chest", the "decubitus position", and a "left lateral"), and an imaging menu D (the "chest", the "decubitus position", and a "right lateral"), the specific order is the order of the imaging menu A, the imaging menu B, the imaging menu C, and the imaging menu D as illustrated in <FIG>. Basically, imaging is performed in the specific order on the basis of the imaging menus.

However, as described above, in a case in which there are a plurality of imaging menus, the subject H needs to change the positioning according to the number of imaging menus. In some cases, the radiology technician guides the positioning of the subject in order to reduce the burden on the subject H caused by a change in the positioning. In this embodiment, in preparation for this case, the positioning imaging device <NUM> images the positioning of the subject H guided by the radiology technician, and the imaging menu selection unit <NUM> automatically selects an imaging menu corresponding to a positioning image obtained by the imaging. Then, the system control unit <NUM> performs imaging control according to the imaging menu selected by the imaging menu selection unit <NUM>. That is, the system control unit <NUM> can perform the imaging control based on the imaging menu in an order different from the specific order registered in the imaging menu registration memory <NUM>.

Specifically, first, it is preferable that the positioning recognition unit <NUM> (see <FIG>) of the console <NUM> recognizes the positioning of the subject H from the positioning image. Then, it is preferable that the imaging menu selection unit <NUM> selects an imaging menu corresponding to the positioning of the subject H recognized by the positioning recognition unit <NUM> as the imaging menu corresponding to the positioning image from the imaging menus registered in the imaging menu registration memory <NUM>.

It is preferable that the positioning of the subject H recognized by the positioning recognition unit <NUM> is information related to the part to be subjected to positioning imaging in the subject H and the posture and direction of the subject H. For example, the positioning of the subject H is the"chest", the "decubitus position", the "front", and the like. It is preferable that the positioning recognition unit <NUM> is a trained processing unit <NUM> for positioning recognition which has machine-learned the relationship between the positioning image and the positioning of the subject H as illustrated in <FIG>. It is preferable that the trained processing unit <NUM> for positioning recognition performs machine learning using a machine learning processing unit <NUM> which is provided in the console <NUM> or an external processing device connected to the console <NUM>. It is preferable that the trained processing unit <NUM> for positioning recognition is a processing unit consisting of, for example, a neural network (NN), a convolutional neural network (CNN), Adaboost, or a random forest.

As illustrated in <FIG>, in a case in which the front of the chest of the subject H in the decubitus position is positioned with respect to the radiation source <NUM>, a positioning image captured by the positioning imaging device <NUM> in this state is obtained. Then, the positioning recognition unit <NUM> recognizes the positioning of the subject H from the positioning image, and the imaging menu selection unit <NUM> automatically selects the imaging menu A (the "chest", the "decubitus position", and the "front") corresponding to the positioning of the subject H recognized by the positioning recognition unit <NUM>. Then, imaging control is performed on the basis of the imaging menu A. At this point of time, the imaging control is still performed in the specific order.

Then, in a case in which it is considered that the burden on the subject H is reduced by changing the positioning of the chest of the subject H from the front to the left lateral rather than by changing the positioning from the front to the rear, the radiology technician guides the subject H to change the positioning of the chest from the front to the left lateral. Then, in a case in which the chest of the subject H in the decubitus position is located on the left side with respect to the radiation source <NUM>, a positioning image captured by the positioning imaging device <NUM> in this state is obtained. Then, the positioning recognition unit <NUM> recognizes the positioning of the subject H from the positioning image, and the imaging menu selection unit <NUM> automatically selects the imaging menu C (the "chest", the "decubitus position", and the "left lateral") corresponding to the positioning of the subject H recognized by the positioning recognition unit <NUM>. Then, imaging control is performed on the basis of the imaging menu C. At this point of time, the imaging control is performed in an order different from the specific order.

Then, in a case in which the positioning of the chest of the subject H is changed from the left lateral to the right lateral, a positioning image captured by the positioning imaging device <NUM> in this state is obtained. Then, the positioning recognition unit <NUM> recognizes the positioning of the subject H from the positioning image, and the imaging menu selection unit <NUM> automatically selects the imaging menu D (the "chest", the "decubitus position", and the "right lateral") corresponding to the positioning of the subject H recognized by the positioning recognition unit <NUM>. Then, imaging control is performed on the basis of the imaging menu D. Even at this point of time, the imaging control is performed in an order different from the specific order.

Then, in a case in which the positioning of the chest of the subject H is changed from the right lateral to the rear, a positioning image captured by the positioning imaging device <NUM> in this state is obtained. Then, the positioning recognition unit <NUM> recognizes the positioning of the subject H from the positioning image, and the imaging menu selection unit <NUM> automatically selects the imaging menu B (the "chest", the "decubitus position", and the "rear") corresponding to the positioning of the subject H recognized by the positioning recognition unit <NUM>. Then, imaging control is performed on the basis of the imaging menu B. Even at this point of time, the imaging control is performed in an order different from the specific order.

In addition, for the acquisition of the positioning of the subject H, the comparison unit <NUM> in the console <NUM> may obtain the positioning of the subject H from pattern matching between model data predetermined corresponding to the positioning of the subject H and the positioning image. In this case, the imaging menu selection unit <NUM> selects an imaging menu corresponding to the positioning of the subject H obtained by the pattern matching as the imaging menu corresponding to the positioning image. An example of the predetermined model data is the radiographic images of the subject H obtained in the positioning state of the subject H corresponding to a plurality of imaging menus. Specifically, it is preferable that the positioning of the subject H obtained from the pattern matching between the model data and the positioning image is information related to the part to be subjected to positioning imaging in the subject H and the posture and direction of the subject H. For example, the positioning of the subject H is the "chest", the "decubitus position", the "front", and the like.

Next, a series of flows of the invention will be described with reference to a flowchart illustrated in <FIG>. In a case in which the subject H who is a person to be subjected to radiography enters the imaging room <NUM>, the radiology technician guides the subject H so as to be placed between the radiation source <NUM> and the radiation detection unit <NUM>. In a case in which the subject H faces the radiation detection unit <NUM> and is guided to a specific position with respect to the radiation source <NUM> by the radiology technician, the positioning imaging device <NUM> images the subject H in the specific positioning state. Therefore, a positioning image is obtained.

Then, in a case in which the positioning image is obtained, the positioning recognition unit <NUM> recognizes the positioning of the subject H from the positioning image. The imaging menu selection unit <NUM> automatically selects an imaging menu corresponding to the positioning of the subject H recognized by the positioning recognition unit <NUM> from one or a plurality of imaging menus registered in advance in the imaging menu registration memory <NUM>. In a case in which the imaging menu is selected, the system control unit <NUM> performs imaging control on the radiation source <NUM> or the radiation detection unit <NUM> according to the selected imaging menu. In a case in which a plurality of imaging menus are registered, the radiology technician guides the subject H so as to change from the specific position to another position (change the positioning) and obtains a positioning image in another position. Then, similarly, an imaging menu corresponding to the positioning image in another position is selected. Then, in a case in which the user operates the user interface <NUM> to input a radiography instruction, the system control unit <NUM> performs imaging control according to the selected imaging menu. The same processing as described above is performed until the imaging control on all of the imaging menus is completed. After the imaging control on all of the imaging menus is completed, the radiography ends.

In the above-described embodiment, in a case in which the imaging menu corresponding to the positioning image used, for example, to recognize the positioning of the subject H is an imaging menu which is not included in the imaging order and has not been registered in the imaging menu registration memory <NUM> and the user operates the user interface <NUM> to perform a first operation of starting radiography, the alert generation unit <NUM> generates an alert to the user. It is preferable to display, as the alert, a message indicating the stop of the radiography on the display unit <NUM>. Further, in a case in which the alert is generated, it is preferable that the system control unit <NUM> performs control to stop the radiography (for example, the stop of the emission of the radiation). In a case in which the user operates the user interface <NUM> to perform a second operation of showing intent to approve radiography, the unregistered imaging menu is automatically additionally registered in the imaging menu registration memory <NUM>. In addition, the imaging menu selection unit <NUM> automatically selects the additionally registered imaging menu. Then, in a case in which the user operates the user interface <NUM> to input a radiography instruction again, the system control unit <NUM> performs imaging control according to the additionally registered imaging menu.

For example, in a case in which the imaging menus included in the imaging order are the imaging menu A (chest/decubitus position/front), the imaging menu B (chest/decubitus position/rear), the imaging menu C (chest/decubitus position/left lateral), and the imaging menu D (chest/decubitus position/right lateral) as illustrated in <FIG> and the recognition result of the positioning by the positioning recognition unit <NUM> is "abdomen/decubitus position/front" as illustrated in <FIG>, the imaging menu corresponding to the positioning of "abdomen/decubitus position/front" is the imaging menu that has not been registered in the imaging menu registration memory <NUM> and is not included in the imaging order. An alert is issued in a case in which the imaging menu is an unregistered imaging menu and the first operation of performing radiography is performed. Then, in a case in which the user performs the second operation of pressing an OK button of the user interface <NUM> on the basis of the alert, an imaging menu E corresponding to the positioning of "abdomen/decubitus position/front" is automatically added and registered in the imaging menu registration memory <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. Further, the imaging menu selection unit <NUM> selects the additionally registered imaging menu E. Then, in a case in which the user operates the user interface <NUM> to input a radiography instruction again, the system control unit <NUM> performs imaging control according to the additionally registered imaging menu E.

In the above-described embodiment, the following various processors are used as the hardware structure of processing units performing various processes such as the imaging order receiving unit <NUM>, the imaging menu registration memory <NUM>, the imaging menu selection unit <NUM>, the system control unit <NUM>, the positioning recognition unit <NUM>, and the comparison unit <NUM>. The various processors include, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) which is a general-purpose processor that executes software (programs) to function as various processing units, a graphical processing unit: (GPU), a programmable logic device (PLD), such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA), that is a processor whose circuit configuration can be changed after manufacture, and a dedicated electric circuit that is a processor having a dedicated circuit configuration designed to perform various processes.

One processing unit may be configured by one of the various processors or a combination of two or more processors of the same type or different types (for example, a combination of a plurality of FPGAs, a combination of a CPU and an FPGA, or a combination of a CPU and a GPU). Further, a plurality of processing units may be configured by one processor. A first example of the configuration in which a plurality of processing units are configured by one processor is an aspect in which one processor is configured by a combination of one or more CPUs and software and functions as a plurality of processing units. A representative example of this aspect is a client computer or a server computer. A second example of the configuration is an aspect in which a processor that implements the functions of the entire system including a plurality of processing units using one integrated circuit (IC) chip is used. A representative example of this aspect is a system-on-chip (SoC). As described above, various processing units are configured by one or more of the various processors as the hardware structure.

Claim 1:
A radiography system comprising:
a radiation source (<NUM>) configured to irradiate a subject with radiation;
a radiation detection unit (<NUM>) configured to detect the radiation transmitted through the subject to obtain a radiographic image;
a positioning imaging device (<NUM>) configured to image the subject facing the radiation detection unit (<NUM>) to obtain a positioning image of the subject; and
a processor,
wherein the processor is configured to select an imaging menu corresponding to the positioning image from a plurality of imaging menus registered in an imaging menu registration memory (<NUM>) and to perform imaging control on the radiation source (<NUM>) or the radiation detection unit (<NUM>) according to the selected imaging menu;
characterized in that:
an order of the imaging control based on the imaging menus is pre-set as a specific order of the plurality of the imaging menus in the imaging menu registration memory and the processor is further configured to perform the imaging control in an order different from the specific order based on the selected imaging menu.