Abstract: A primary prospective abnormal shadow is detected in each of at least two radiation images of an object taken in different directions. Only primary prospective abnormal shadows which are detected in the respective radiation images and are in substantially the same position on the object is taken as a final prospective abnormal shadow.

Abstract: When processing a radiation image, an image signal representing a radiation image and a prospective irradiation field information representing a prospective irradiation field of the radiation image are obtained in an image information obtaining section. The prospective irradiation field information is transferred to an image output section attached to the radiation image signal or separately therefrom. An image processing to make the image in the prospective irradiation field more suitable for viewing on the transferred image signal is carried out in the image output section on the basis of the transferred prospective irradiation field information, and a radiation image is output on the basis of the processed image signal.

Abstract: At least one kind of image input modality and at least one kind of image information output device are connected to an image processing system. At least one kind of image input modality, which is among connected image input modalities, includes a plurality of image information input apparatuses having different input device characteristics. The image processing system comprises a standardization device for carrying out transform processing on image information such that, in every case where the image information has been received from one image information input apparatus, which is among the plurality of the image information input apparatuses, the received image information may be transformed into standard image information, which does not depend upon the input device characteristics of the one image information input apparatus and depends upon standard device characteristics having been set previously for the image input modality including the one image information input apparatus.

Abstract: At least one kind of image input modality and at least one kind of image information output device are connected to an image processing system. At least one kind of image input modality, which is among connected image input modalities, includes a plurality of image information input apparatuses having different input device characteristics. The image processing system comprises a standardization device for carrying out transform processing on image information such that, in every case where the image information has been received from one image information input apparatus, which is among the plurality of the image information input apparatuses, the received image information may be transformed into standard image information, which does not depend upon the input device characteristics of the one image information input apparatus and depends upon standard device characteristics having been set previously for the image input modality including the one image information input apparatus.

Abstract: An image processing method is disclosed wherein a storage medium storing image data, key information appended to the image data, and image processing parameters attached to the image data and representing image processing to be effected on the image data is accessed to read the image data and the image processing parameters and the read image data are processed based on the image processing parameters. The image processing method includes a step of reading the key information when one or more image processing parameters attached to the image data are inappropriate for the image processing, a step of establishing, based on the read key information, new image processing parameters appropriate for the image processing, and a step of image-processing the image data based on the new image processing parameters. A system for conducting the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: In a measurement processing apparatus for measuring a geometric feature of an object image: a measurement-reference-element setting unit automatically sets at least one first measurement reference element for use in measurement of the geometric feature of the object image, at at least one first position on the object image based on first image data representing the object image and position information indicating at least one second position of at least one second measurement reference element which is set on a measurement reference image corresponding to the object image; and a geometric-feature measurement unit measures the geometric feature of the object image based on the at least one first position of the at least one first measurement reference element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for carrying out tomographic image processing that enables lung areas and a mediastinum in a chest tomographic image to be reproduced in one image with appropriate contrast is provided. Image data representing a chest tomographic image are obtained by using a tomography apparatus. Normalization means in a tomographic image processing apparatus normalizes the image data and obtains normalized image data. Compression processing means carries out dynamic range compression processing on the normalized image data to compress a high density range thereof. The image data after the compression processing are subjected to frequency enhancing processing, and the image data after the frequency enhancing processing are then subjected to tone conversion processing. The processed image data obtained in the above manner are reproduced by a reproduction apparatus.

Abstract: Storage space for medical image data in medical facilities can be reduced substantially at low cost, and the medical image data can be stored and managed by an easy operation. Medical image data converted from medical images photographed in medical facilities into digital signals are stored in hard discs of client terminals, in addition to accompanying information regarding the image data. Each of the client terminals is connected to an image database server installed in an Internet provider via a telephone line. The image data and the accompanying information stored in the image database server are transmitted, received, and searched for by checking a password.

Abstract: A portable radiation imaging system is provided which is capable of always performing imaging in a state where the tilt of the radiation emitted from a radiation source in relation to the detection surface of an image detection device is substantially perpendicular. The system is equipped with a tilt adjustment means that makes the tilt of the radiation in relation to the detection surface of a radiation image detection device substantially perpendicular by changing the tilt angle of a radiation source based on an angular signal representing the degree of tilt of the radiation in relation to said detection surface output by an angular signal output means, and a command means that generates an exposure command to the radiation source when the tilt of the radiation to be emitted from said radiation source in relation to the detection surface of said radiation image detection device is substantially perpendicular.

Abstract: An artificial bone template selection system includes a template data storage system in which template data representing a plurality of templates representing a plurality of artificial bones of different shapes is stored. A bone shape measuring system measures the shape of bone to be replaced by artificial bone on the basis of bone image data representing an image including the bone to be replaced by artificial bone. A prospective template selection system selects at least one template the shape of which substantially conforms to the shape of the bone to be replaced by artificial bone as measured by the bone shape measuring system out of the plurality of templates represented by the template data.

Abstract: In a method of detecting a prospective abnormal shadow in an image at a predetermined detecting level, the detecting level is changed according to prior information on the object.

Abstract: In a control center, provided are: an order information receiving unit that receives order information; an acceptance area range information receiving unit that receives acceptance area range information of a physician; a deadline information receiving unit that receives deadline information of same; an acceptance point determining unit that determines an acceptance point for each physician based on said acceptance area range and deadline information, so that delivery efficiency is enhanced as a whole; an acceptance point informing unit that informs the physician of the determined acceptance point; and a physical distribution cost determination unit that determines a physical distribution cost for each physician, said cost being that for delivery of IP's desired by same, to the determined acceptance point within the acceptance area range allowable for the physician, so that the physical distribution cost becomes lower as the acceptance area and deadline ranges allowable for the physician become wider.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display system includes a liquid crystal cell system formed by sandwiching liquid crystal between first and second transparent electrode substrates and a light source for projecting substantially collimated light onto the first trasparent electrode substrate. An image is viewed from the second transparent electrode substrate side. A phase-contrast film is provided on each of the first transparent electrode substrate side and the second transparent electrode substrate side of the liquid crystal cell system and a light dispersing layer is provided on the second transparent electrode substrate side of the liquid crystal cell system.

Abstract: A radiation image detecting system includes a solid radiation detector made up of a plurality of solid radiation detecting elements which are two-dimensionally arranged and convert radiations bearing thereon image information to an image signal. An A/D convertor converts the image signal as output from the solid radiation detector to a digital image signal. The digital image signal is analyzed and a characteristic of standardization processing which is to be carried out on the digital image signal is determined. A standardization processing circuit carries out standardization processing on the digital image signal according to the characteristic of standardization processing determined.

Abstract: An measurement processing apparatus for efficiently measuring geometric data of an image is provided. A reference-image outputting means forms a reference-image based on an image that has been previously measured as well as a setting order data which indicates a suggestion as to the order in which the measuring points should be set and which shows the same setting order in which the measuring points were set for a previously performed measurement of a past-measurement image, and outputs the reference-image and the setting order data to an image display means. While consulting the reference-image and the setting order data displayed on the image display means, an operator can set, by use of a measuring point setting means, the measuring points at the correct positions and in the correct order in the subject image displayed on a display screen, and the geometrical data can be measured automatically and efficiently.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display system includes a liquid crystal cell system formed by sandwiching liquid crystal between first and second transparent electrode substrates and a light source for projecting substantially collimated light onto the first transparent electrode substrate. An image is viewed from the second transparent electrode substrate side. A phase-contrast film is provided on each of the first transparent electrode substrate side and the second transparent electrode substrate side of the liquid crystal cell system and a light dispersing layer is provided on the second transparent electrode substrate side of the liquid crystal cell system.

Abstract: In a small-scale medical facility, appropriate storage and management of medical images whose storage is mandatory for a predetermined period becomes easier. A storage terminal installed in a medical facility is connected to a mobile storage system, and image data stored in the storage terminal are transferred to the mobile storage system. The mobile storage system storing the image data is connected to an image data storage apparatus installed in an image storage center, and transmits the image data to the image data storage apparatus. The image data storage apparatus stores the image data and calculates the date of storage expiration of the image data. The image data storage apparatus stores the image data until the expiration date.

Abstract: A primary prospective abnormal shadow is detected in each of at least two radiation images of an object taken in different directions. Only primary prospective abnormal shadows which are detected in the respective radiation images and are in substantially the same position on the object is taken as a final prospective abnormal shadow.

Abstract: A review service system capable of supplying a review service desired by a general practitioner such that the service fits desired conditions. Supplier information such as a location and an amount of spare time concerning each of a plurality of medical specialists is stored in a database in advance. The medical specialists are suppliers capable of supplying review services. A management center comprises: a supplier information acquire unit for acquiring supplier information; a customer information acquire unit for acquiring customer information concerning the review service desired by the general practitioner as the customer; and a matching unit for listing the medical specialists capable of supplying the review service that fits the conditions desired by the general practitioner from the database, deciding a medical specialist who best fits desired conditions, and allowing the customer and the supplier to correspond with each other, based on the supplier information and the customer information.

Abstract: A plurality of radiation image signals, which represent radiation images of an object, are obtained by irradiating radiation from different directions to the object and detecting the radiation carrying image information of the object via a scattered radiation removing device for removing radiation having been scattered by the object. Image signal components representing a pattern of the scattered radiation removing device, which are contained in the radiation image signals, are reduced, and pattern-reduced radiation image signals, in which the image signal components representing the pattern of the scattered radiation removing device have been reduced, are thereby obtained. At least either one of a volume signal and a tomographic image signal representing an image of the object is then obtained from the pattern-reduced radiation image signals.