Abstract: A prospective abnormal shadow detecting system detects a prospective abnormal shadow in an image on the basis of image data representing the image and outputs information on the prospective abnormal shadow detected by the prospective abnormal shadow detecting means. Whether the detected prospective abnormal shadow is malignant or benignant is judged, and the information on the prospective abnormal shadow is output in such a manner that whether the prospective abnormal shadow is malignant or benignant can be distinguished.

Abstract: An image position matching apparatus performs position matching, such that positions of reference areas in two original images align with each other, and supplies information, which represents a translation quantity for aligning the positions of the reference areas in the two original images with each other, and the two original images into an image output device. The image output device aligns the positions of the reference areas in the two original images with each other in accordance with the translation quantity information and the two original images having been received from the image position matching apparatus and outputs the two aligned images, such that the two aligned images are located in a line.

Abstract: Diagnostic assistance to physicians is improved, by increasing detection rates of abnormal pattern candidates having radially extending linear structures, and decreasing false positive detection rates. A linear structure extracting means extracts linear structures from within radiation image of a subject. A linear concentration calculating means calculates linear concentrations of the extracted linear structures with respect to each pixel within the image. A directional distribution index calculating means calculates indices of directional distribution of the extracted linear structures with respect to each pixel of interest. A candidate region detecting means calculates products of the linear concentrations and the indices of directional distribution for each pixel of interest, and detects tumor pattern candidate regions based on the calculated products. Thereby, candidate regions are enabled to be extracted while taking into consideration variance in the directions of linear structures.

Abstract: In a wavelet transform section, wavelet-transform coefficient signals are obtained by two-dimensional wavelet transformation, employing a low-pass filter which has a characteristic that its response at a frequency greater than a spatial frequency corresponding to grid pitch is approximately zero. Based on the direction of the grid judged by a direction judging section, a suppressing section applies one-dimensional wavelet transformation to a signal containing a grid component (when a vertical grid is used, signal HL1), in the grid direction. Then, a low frequency transform coefficient signal of the transform coefficient signals is made zero. The signal, made zero, and the remaining signals, are subjected to inverse one-dimensional wavelet transformation. In an inverse wavelet transform section, the original image is restored with a signal having a suppressed grid component.

Abstract: Primary prospective abnormal shadow regions in images of objects are detected by different kinds of detecting processes. Whether or not the respective primary prospective abnormal shadow regions are of a desired abnormal shadow is determined by methods different from each other according to the kinds of processes by which the respective primary prospective abnormal shadow regions are detected. Only primary prospective abnormal shadow regions which are determined to be of a desired abnormal shadow are output as final prospective abnormal shadow regions.

Abstract: In an abnormal shadow detecting system, a mammary gland distribution map generating system generates a mammary gland distribution map of each of left and right breasts by dividing an image of each of the left and right breasts into a plurality of ranges according to the density of the image on the basis of image data representing the image, and an extracting system extracts a bilaterally asymmetric range by comparing the ranges of the mammary gland distribution map for one of the left and right breasts with those of the mammary gland distribution map for the other breast.

Abstract: Prospective micro calcification points in a radiation image of an object are extracted on the basis of image data representing the radiation image and clustered into cluster areas. A plurality of areas are set in the radiation image, and fluctuation in size and/or fluctuation in density of the prospective micro calcification points in each of the areas is obtained. Detected areas are extracted from the plurality of areas on the basis of the fluctuation in size and/or the fluctuation in density of the prospective micro calcification points in each of the areas, and each interconnected area where a predetermined number of or more extracted detected areas are continuous is set as a cluster area.

Abstract: Processing, in which a first shape-dependent filter in accordance with a shape of a microcalcification pattern is utilized, is performed on an object image, and a fine structure image, which illustrates a fine structure area embedded in the object image, is formed. Thereafter, enhancement processing, in which a second shape-dependent filter in accordance with the shape of a microcalcification pattern is utilized, is performed on the fine structure image, and an enhancement-processed image, in which the microcalcification pattern has been enhanced, is formed. A microcalcification pattern candidate is then detected by use of the enhancement-processed image.

Abstract: In an abnormal shadow detecting system, a characteristic value on the shape and/or the density of a prospective area of a micro calcification shadow set in an image of an object is extracted on the basis of image data representing the image of the object, and whether a micro calcification shadow really exists in the prospective area is determined on the basis of the calculated characteristic value.

Abstract: Misunderstanding in use of an application program for CAD or the like is lessened. When the application program is executed, functions provided by the application program are restricted. Training means for carrying out training on how to use the functions is provided, and completion of the training by the training means is confirmed regarding a user. Thereafter, training completion information representing the completion of the training is stored. Based on the training completion information, the restriction on provision of the functions of the application program is lifted.

Abstract: Processing for detecting an abnormal pattern candidate embedded in a medical image having been obtained from an image recording operation is performed on an image signal representing the medical image. In cases where the image signal is one which has been subjected to predetermined signal processing, correction processing is performed on the image signal such that the abnormal pattern candidate detecting processing performed on the image signal, which has been subjected to the predetermined signal processing, does not depend upon the predetermined signal processing. The abnormal pattern candidate detecting processing is then performed on the image signal, which has been obtained from the correction processing.

Abstract: A prospective abnormal shadow detecting system detects a prospective abnormal shadow in an image on the basis of image data representing the image and outputs information on the prospective abnormal shadow detected by the prospective abnormal shadow detecting means. Whether the detected prospective abnormal shadow is malignant or benignant is judged, and the information on the prospective abnormal shadow is output in such a manner that whether the prospective abnormal shadow is malignant or benignant can be distinguished.

Abstract: The result of detection processing by abnormal pattern detection processor means 30 is stored in a server 40. In addition, the output image on an image output device 440 is read for pattern, and the supporting contents, such as the result of judgment by a doctor (which, when differing from the result of detection processing, corresponds to the corrected result), the comment, and the assessment category, are stored in the server 40 in conformity with the BI-RADS proposed by the ACR. The result of pathologic assessment corresponding to the abnormal pattern is related to the supporting contents and stored in the server 40. The statistical processing in conformity with the follow-up method of the BI-RADS is performed to find the specificity, the cancer detection rate, etc.

Abstract: A prospective abnormal shadow detecting system detects a prospective abnormal shadow in an image on the basis of image data representing the image and outputs information on the prospective abnormal shadow detected by the prospective abnormal shadow detecting means. Whether the detected prospective abnormal shadow is malignant or benignant is judged, and the information on the prospective abnormal shadow is output in such a manner that whether the prospective abnormal shadow is malignant or benignant can be distinguished.

Abstract: The result of detection processing by abnormal pattern detection processor means 30 is stored in a server 40. In addition, the output image on an image output device 440 is read for pattern, and the supporting contents, such as the result of judgment by a doctor (which, when differing from the result of detection processing, corresponds to the corrected result), the comment, and the assessment category, are stored in the server 40 in conformity with the BI-RADS proposed by the ACR. The result of pathologic assessment corresponding to the abnormal pattern is related to the supporting contents and stored in the server 40. The statistical processing in conformity with the follow-up method of the BI-RADS is performed to find the specificity, the cancer detection rate, etc.

Abstract: An improved anomalous shadow detection system enables more reliable and efficient image diagnosis of an image of a suspected anomalous shadow etc. outputted by image output means. The image output means displays values of standard parameters concerning the suspected anomalous shadow and/or certainty of detection of the suspected anomalous shadow together with the image of the detected suspected anomalous shadow.

Abstract: A multiresolution coding section includes a wavelet transformation section for performing a wavelet transformation process on an image signal to obtain coefficient signals, a coefficient transformation section for performing a coefficient transformation process, which corresponds to image processing, on the coefficient signals to obtain processed coefficient signals, and a coding section for performing a coding process on the processed coefficient signals to obtain processed coded data. A restoration section includes a decoding section for decoding the processed coded data to obtain the processed coefficient signals, and an inverse wavelet transformation section for performing an inverse wavelet transformation process on the processed coefficient signals to obtain a processed image signal subjected to the image processing.

Abstract: A breast image display apparatus is provided for improving image reading performance on breast images. A right breast area and a left breast area are detected from a right breast image and a left breast image. A plurality of corresponding position detection means are available for detecting pre-set corresponding positions in the right breast area and the left breast area. In the case where one of the corresponding position detection means has failed to detect the corresponding positions therefor, another one of the corresponding position detection means detects the corresponding positions therefor in the right breast area and the left breast area.

Abstract: When image data comprising data at a plurality of levels, each having a different resolution, density resolution, and reproduced image quality, are transferred to a terminal, image data at a level appropriate for the terminal are easily transferred. At the time transfer of image data is requested by a terminal, if the name of the user of the terminal is input, transfer request information and name information is transferred to an image server via a network. In the image server, data at a level appropriate for the user are specified based on the name information and the data are transferred to the terminal which has requested the transfer. For example, when an image reading terminal requests image transfer, highest level data are transferred, while data at a level lower than the highest are transferred when a reference terminal requests the transfer.

Abstract: Positive recognition of whether a displayed diagnostic image is a non-CAD processed image or a CAD processed image, in which abnormal patterns were not detected, is enabled. An image display apparatus judges whether CAD result data accompanies data obtained for display. If it is judged that CAD result data accompanies the data, a type image that represents that the image is a CAD processed image, for example, an image that indicates the number of detected abnormal patterns (including zero), is displayed along with the CAD processed image. If it is judged that CAD result data does not accompany the data, a type image that represents that the image is a non-CAD processed image, for example, an image that does not indicate the number of detected abnormal patterns, is displayed along with the non-CAD processed image. An image that represents the detection sensitivity of the CAD process is also displayed.