Abstract: A first image and a second image obtained by imaging the same subject with different types of modalities are obtained. The first image is deformed, and similarity between the deformed first image and the second image is evaluated by an evaluation function that evaluates correlation between distributions of corresponding pixel values of the two images to estimate an image deformation amount of the first image. Based on the estimated image deformation amount, a deformed image of the first image is generated. The evaluation function includes a term representing a measure of correlation between a pixel value of the deformed first image and a corresponding pixel value of the second image, wherein the term evaluates the correlation based on probability information that indicates a probability of each combination of corresponding pixel values of the first image and the second image.

Abstract: A first image and a second image are obtained; the amount of deformation of the first image is estimated by evaluating the degree of similarity between a deformed first image and the second image, using an evaluation function that evaluates the correlation between the distribution of corresponding pixel values within the two images; and an image, which is the first image deformed based on the estimated amount of deformation, is generated. The evaluation function evaluates the degree of similarity between the deformed first image and the second image, based on degrees of similarities of divided images that represent degrees of similarities among the distributions of pixel values of each pair of divided first images and divided second images, which respectively are images that the deformed first image is divided into and images that the second image is divided into, according to predetermined dividing conditions.

Abstract: A first image and a second image are obtained; the amount of deformation of the first image is estimated by evaluating the degree of similarity between a deformed first image and the second image, using an evaluation function that evaluates the correlation between the distribution of corresponding pixel values within the two images; and an image, which is the first image deformed based on the estimated amount of deformation, is generated. The evaluation function evaluates the degree of similarity between the deformed first image and the second image, based on degrees of similarities of divided images that represent degrees of similarities among the distributions of pixel values of each pair of divided first images and divided second images, which respectively are images that the deformed first image is divided into and images that the second image is divided into, according to predetermined dividing conditions.

Abstract: A first image and a second image obtained by imaging the same subject with different types of modalities are obtained. The first image is deformed, and similarity between the deformed first image and the second image is evaluated by an evaluation function that evaluates correlation between distributions of corresponding pixel values of the two images to estimate an image deformation amount of the first image. Based on the estimated image deformation amount, a deformed image of the first image is generated. The evaluation function includes a term representing a measure of correlation between a pixel value of the deformed first image and a corresponding pixel value of the second image, wherein the term evaluates the correlation based on probability information that indicates a probability of each combination of corresponding pixel values of the first image and the second image.

Abstract: A diagnostic result explanation report generating apparatus is equipped with: a diagnostic information storing section, a comment information storing section, a template storing section for storing explanation templates having insertion regions, into which at least portions of the diagnostic information and the comment information are insertable, prepared for each of the various diagnostic results; an input section, for inputting patient specifying information; a diagnostic information obtaining section, for obtaining diagnostic information for a patient, based on the input patient specifying information; a template obtaining section, for obtaining an explanation template which is prepared for a diagnostic result, based on a diagnostic result included in the obtained diagnostic information; a comment information obtaining section, for obtaining comment information from the comment information storing section; and a diagnostic result explanation generating section, for inserting necessary diagnostic informatio

Abstract: Generating, with respect to each of the three-dimensional image and the three-dimensional comparison image, a plurality of tomographic images orthogonal to a central axis of each vertebra of the subject along the central axis, calculating a first characteristic amount representing a profile in a direction orthogonal to the central axis at each point on the central axis based on the tomographic images, calculating a second characteristic amount representing a profile in a direction of the central axis at each point on the central axis based on the tomographic images, calculating a third characteristic amount representing regularity of disposition of each vertebra at each point on the central axis based on the calculated first and second characteristic amounts, and aligning positions of the third characteristic amount calculated from the three-dimensional image and the third characteristic amount calculated from the three-dimensional comparison image along the central axis.

Abstract: A medical image display apparatus includes an image database for recording a three-dimensional standard image of a model subject, a three-dimensional anatomical image corresponding to the three-dimensional standard image, and anatomical information on living tissue names, an image acquirer for acquiring a three-dimensional medical image of an examinee, a medical tomographic image identifier for identifying a medical tomographic image in the three-dimensional medical image based on a user's instruction, a standard tomographic image identifier for identifying a standard tomographic image in the three-dimensional standard image, which corresponds to the medical tomographic image, an anatomical tomographic image identifier for identifying an anatomical tomographic image in the three-dimensional anatomical image, which corresponds to the standard tomographic image, and a display controller for displaying the medical tomographic image and the anatomical tomographic image on a display unit, while displaying the livi

Abstract: Generating, with respect to each of the three-dimensional image and the three-dimensional comparison image, a plurality of tomographic images orthogonal to a central axis of each vertebra of the subject along the central axis, calculating a first characteristic amount representing a profile in a direction orthogonal to the central axis at each point on the central axis based on the tomographic images, calculating a second characteristic amount representing a profile in a direction of the central axis at each point on the central axis based on the tomographic images, calculating a third characteristic amount representing regularity of disposition of each vertebra at each point on the central axis based on the calculated first and second characteristic amounts, and aligning positions of the third characteristic amount calculated from the three-dimensional image and the third characteristic amount calculated from the three-dimensional comparison image along the central axis.

Abstract: Based on generated tomographic images, a first feature quantity representative of a clearness of sectional shapes crossing the Z? axis at the vertebrae is calculated for each of respective points on the Z? axis. Further, based on the generated tomographic images, a second feature quantity representative of a clearness of sectional shapes parallel to the Z? axis at the vertebrae is calculated for each of the respective points on the Z? axis. A third feature quantity representative of a regularity of an array of the vertebrae is calculated for each of the respective points on the Z? axis, based on the calculated first feature quantity and the calculated second feature quantity. Positions of the vertebrae on the Z? axis are calculated based on the third feature quantity, which is calculated for each of respective points on the Z? axis.

Abstract: Specification is received regarding which structure identifying information, each corresponding to an anatomical structure, is specified as display target structure identifying information to be displayed with a display target image when displaying the display target image, in which the positions of each pixel correspond to positions within an original image. The position of the anatomical structure identified by the structure identifying information is specified, based on structure information, in which structure identifying information that identifies anatomical structures and structure position information that represents the positions of the anatomical structures within the original image are correlated, and the correspondence of positions between the original image and the display target image.

Abstract: A plurality of medical images showing transverse cross-sections of vertebrae that have been imaged in advance are obtained. A spinal-cord region in at least one of the plurality of medical images is detected. A spinal-cord center-line based on a center point in the detected spinal-cord region is generated. A longitudinal cross-sectional image of the vertebrae is generated. Further, a center-line of the vertebrae is obtained based on a positional relationship between the spinal-cord center-line and the vertebrae.

Abstract: A diagnostic result explanation report generating apparatus is equipped with: a diagnostic information storing section, a comment information storing section, a template storing section for storing explanation templates having insertion regions, into which at least portions of the diagnostic information and the comment information are insertable, prepared for each of the various diagnostic results; an input section, for inputting patient specifying information; a diagnostic information obtaining section, for obtaining diagnostic information for a patient, based on the input patient specifying information; a template obtaining section, for obtaining an explanation template which is prepared for a diagnostic result, based on a diagnostic result included in the obtained diagnostic information; a comment information obtaining section, for obtaining comment information from the comment information storing section; and a diagnostic result explanation generating section, for inserting necessary diagnostic informatio

Abstract: A body-of-sternum area representing the body of sternum of a subject is extracted from a three-dimensional image obtained by imaging the subject. Further, at least one rib area is extracted from the three-dimensional image. The rib number of each of the at least one rib area is determined based on a position of the body-of-sternum area, the position corresponding to a lower border of the body of sternum, and the position of each of the at least one rib area. Further, at least one vertebra area is extracted from the three-dimensional image. The vertebra number of the at least one vertebra area is determined based on the position of each of the at least one rib area, the rib number of each of the at least one rib area, and the position of the at least one vertebra area.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: a recognizing device which recognizes a bone area extracted from a tomogram, the bone area including a bone site composed of several bone pieces, in units of bone pieces; a display site selecting device which selects a bone site to be displayed; a display/non-display determining device which determines a bone piece to be displayed with respect to the selected bone site; and a display controlling device which controls to display a bone piece corresponding to the selected bone site based on the determination by the display/non-display determining device. Thus, only a selection of a bone site to be displayed allows a display of the selected bone site in units of bone pieces.

Abstract: Generating, with respect to each of the three-dimensional image and the three-dimensional comparison image, a plurality of tomographic images orthogonal to a central axis of each vertebra of the subject along the central axis, calculating a first characteristic amount representing a profile in a direction orthogonal to the central axis at each point on the central axis based on the tomographic images, calculating a second characteristic amount representing a profile in a direction of the central axis at each point on the central axis based on the tomographic images, calculating a third characteristic amount representing regularity of disposition of each vertebra at each point on the central axis based on the calculated first and second characteristic amounts, and aligning positions of the third characteristic amount calculated from the three-dimensional image and the third characteristic amount calculated from the three-dimensional comparison image along the central axis.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus characterized by including a device which recognizes, in a bone part unit, a bone area extracted from a medical image and including a bone region constituted of several bone parts, a device which is used to select the bone region to be displayed, a device which is used to determine the bone parts corresponding to the selected bone region, a device which is used to determine a viewpoint and a sight line direction for observing the selected bone region, a device which generates a volume rendering image which displays the bone area with the viewpoint and the sight line direction, based on the bone area of the medical image recognized in the bone part unit, and the determined viewpoint and sight line direction, and a device which is used to conduct control to display the generated volume rendering image.

Abstract: A medical image display apparatus includes an image database for recording a three-dimensional standard image of a model subject, a three-dimensional anatomical image corresponding to the three-dimensional standard image, and anatomical information on living tissue names, an image acquirer for acquiring a three-dimensional medical image of an examinee, a medical tomographic image identifier for identifying a medical tomographic image in the three-dimensional medical image based on a user's instruction, a standard tomographic image identifier for identifying a standard tomographic image in the three-dimensional standard image, which corresponds to the medical tomographic image, an anatomical tomographic image identifier for identifying an anatomical tomographic image in the three-dimensional anatomical image, which corresponds to the standard tomographic image, and a display controller for displaying the medical tomographic image and the anatomical tomographic image on a display unit, while displaying the livi

Abstract: Based on generated tomographic images, a first feature quantity representative of a clearness of sectional shapes crossing the Z? axis at the vertebrae is calculated for each of respective points on the Z? axis. Further, based on the generated tomographic images, a second feature quantity representative of a clearness of sectional shapes parallel to the Z? axis at the vertebrae is calculated for each of the respective points on the Z? axis. A third feature quantity representative of a regularity of an array of the vertebrae is calculated for each of the respective points on the Z? axis, based on the calculated first feature quantity and the calculated second feature quantity. Positions of the vertebrae on the Z? axis are calculated based on the third feature quantity, which is calculated for each of respective points on the Z? axis.

Abstract: A region of interest is set by region of interest setting means in each of medical images obtained in chronological order. Similar case search means searches for a case information set including a case image having a region of similar pictorial characteristics to each of the regions of interest. When the corresponding case information set has been extracted through the search, case information display means displays test result information sets including not only the case images of similar pictorial characteristics but also all case images, test purposes, findings, and the like in the case information sets in chronological order of tests.

Abstract: Specification is received regarding which structure identifying information, each corresponding to an anatomical structure, is specified as display target structure identifying information to be displayed with a display target image when displaying the display target image, in which the positions of each pixel correspond to positions within an original image. The position of the anatomical structure identified by the structure identifying information is specified, based on structure information, in which structure identifying information that identifies anatomical structures and structure position information that represents the positions of the anatomical structures within the original image are correlated, and the correspondence of positions between the original image and the display target image.