Abstract: A differential-image creating unit creates a three-dimensional image on which an artery is highlighted and a three-dimensional image on which a tumor is highlighted. An image compositing unit combines the three-dimensional images to composite an image. A display control unit displays the composite image on a monitor. Moreover, when compositing an image, the image compositing unit composites the image such that a tumor nutrient blood-flow inside and outside tumor is to be displayed in respective different colors. Furthermore, a blood-flow quantity inside tumor measuring unit calculates a blood-flow quantity inside tumor and a ratio of the blood-flow quantity inside tumor to a tumor volume, and the display control unit displays the blood-flow quantity inside tumor and the ratio of the blood-flow quantity inside tumor to the tumor volume. Accordingly, information that is meaningful for determining malignancy of a tumor can be provided.

Abstract: A cardiac cavity region specifying part specifies the position of a cardiac cavity region represented in volume data. An image generation plane determining part determines an image generation plane that includes a rotation axis intersecting the cardiac cavity region. With a direction orthogonal to the image generation plane as a view direction, a first image generator generates three-dimensional image data that three-dimensionally represents a region excluding the cardiac cavity region, based on data excluding data included in the cardiac cavity of the volume data. A second image generator generates two-dimensional image data that two-dimensionally represents a region in the image generation plane, based on the data excluding the data included in the cardiac cavity region of the volume data. An image synthesizer synthesizes the three-dimensional image data with the two-dimensional image data. A display controller causes a display to display the synthesized image.

Abstract: A cardiac cavity region specifying part specifies the position of a cardiac cavity region represented in volume data. An image generation plane determining part determines an image generation plane that includes a rotation axis intersecting the cardiac cavity region. With a direction orthogonal to the image generation plane as a view direction, a first image generator generates three-dimensional image data that three-dimensionally represents a region excluding the cardiac cavity region, based on data excluding data included in the cardiac cavity of the volume data. A second image generator generates two-dimensional image data that two-dimensionally represents a region in the image generation plane, based on the data excluding the data included in the cardiac cavity region of the volume data. An image synthesizer synthesizes the three-dimensional image data with the two-dimensional image data. A display controller causes a display to display the synthesized image.

Abstract: A differential-image creating unit creates a three-dimensional image on which an artery is highlighted and a three-dimensional image on which a tumor is highlighted. An image compositing unit combines the three-dimensional images to composite an image. A display control unit displays the composite image on a monitor. Moreover, when compositing an image, the image compositing unit composites the image such that a tumor nutrient blood-flow inside and outside tumor is to be displayed in respective different colors. Furthermore, a blood-flow quantity inside tumor measuring unit calculates a blood-flow quantity inside tumor and a ratio of the blood-flow quantity inside tumor to a tumor volume, and the display control unit displays the blood-flow quantity inside tumor and the ratio of the blood-flow quantity inside tumor to the tumor volume. Accordingly, information that is meaningful for determining malignancy of a tumor can be provided.

Abstract: A plurality of position data are input, which indicate the position of an observation target defined in a three-dimensional space, on its three-dimensional image, which is viewed from a predetermined view point along a predetermined line-of-sight direction. A curved cross-section in the line-of-sight direction is calculated from the plurality of position data and line-of-sight data including the predetermined view point and the predetermined line-of-sight direction. A projection image is generated by projecting the three-dimensional image on the calculated curved cross-section onto a projection surface along the line-of-sight direction. The projection image is then displayed.

Abstract: A plurality of position data are input, which indicate the position of an observation target defined in a three-dimensional space, on its three-dimensional image, which is viewed from a predetermined view point along a predetermined line-of-sight direction. A curved cross-section in the line-of-sight direction is calculated from the plurality of position data and line-of-sight data including the predetermined view point and the predetermined line-of-sight direction. A projection image is generated by projecting the three-dimensional image on the calculated curved cross-section onto a projection surface along the line-of-sight direction. The projection image is then displayed.

Abstract: A medical information processing system for supporting diagnosis, capable of displaying an original image and a minified image over the original image without being interfered to each other, capable of optimal man-power & time saving configurations and methods, capable of realizing an optimal classifying technique for doctor's interpretation and CAD-processed result, and capable of optimizing efficiency in forming accurate interpretation report by using PACS in a mass survey. The system includes: a detecting unit for detecting location of abnormality from a first medical image in accordance with a predetermined algorithm; an image forming unit for forming a second medical image in which a marker indicating the location of the abnormality is overlapped; and a display unit for displaying the first medical image and the second medical image in an optimally efficient way.

Abstract: A medical information processing system for supporting diagnostic interpretation, featuring a data storage unit for storing an interpretation image and interpretation reference images for which a doctor will refer to interpret the interpretation image. A data loading unit loads the interpretation reference images from the data storage unit into a workstation unit according to a predetermined priority order. The data loading unit loads the images into a workstation which is selected from the workstation unit according to workstation vs. interpretation examination modality information. A diagnostic information creation unit creates diagnostic information relative to the image by inputting the doctor's findings or computerizing with a computer unit. Positions of abnormalities and degrees of the abnormalities are determined, and positions in association with the images are calculated.

Abstract: A method for automated detection of abnormal anatomic regions, wherein a mammogram is digitized to produce a digital image and the digital image is processed using local edge gradient analysis and linear pattern analysis in addition to feature extraction routines to identify abnormal anatomic regions. Noise reduction filtering and pit-filling/spike-removal filtering techniques are also provided. Multiple difference imaging techniques are also used in which difference images employing different filter characteristics are obtained and processing results logically OR'ed to identify abnormal anatomic regions. In another embodiment the processing results with and without noise reduction filtering are logically AND'ed to improve detection sensitivity. Also, in another embodiment the wavelet transform is utilized in the identification and detection of abnormal regions.

Abstract: A method for automated detection of abnormal anatomic regions, wherein a mammogram is digitized to produce a digital image and the digital image is processed using local edge gradient analysis and linear pattern analysis in addition to feature extraction routines to identify abnormal anatomic regions. Noise reduction filtering and pit-filling/spike-removal filtering techniques are also provided. Multiple difference imaging techniques are also used in which difference images employing different filter characteristics are obtained and processing results logically OR'ed to identify abnormal anatomic regions. In another embodiment the processing results with and without noise reduction filtering are logically AND'ed to improve detection sensitivity. Also, in another embodiment the wavelet transform is utilized in the identification and detection of abnormal regions.

Abstract: A method for automated detection of abnormal anatomic regions, wherein a mammogram is digitized to produce a digital image and the digital image is processed using local edge gradient analysis and linear pattern analysis in addition to feature extraction routines to identify abnormal anatomic regions. Noise reduction filtering and pit-filling/spike-removal filtering techniques are also provided. Multiple difference imaging techniques are also used in which difference images employing different filter characteristics are obtained and processing results logically OR'ed to identify abnormal anatomic regions. In another embodiment the processing results with and without noise reduction filtering are logically AND'ed to improve detection sensitivity. Also, in another embodiment the wavelet transform is utilized in the identification and detection of abnormal regions.

Abstract: A method for automated detection of abnormal anatomic regions, wherein a mammogram is digitized to produce a digital image and the digital image is processed using local edge gradient analysis and linear pattern analysis in addition to feature extraction routines to identify abnormal anatomic regions. Noise reduction filtering and pit-filling/spike-removal filtering techniques are also provided. Multiple difference imaging techniques are also used in which difference images employing different filter characteristics are obtained and processing results logically OR'ed to identify abnormal anatomic regions. In another embodiment the processing results with and without noise reduction filtering are logically AND'ed to improve detection sensitivity. Also, in another embodiment the wavelet transform is utilized in the identification and detection of abnormal regions.

Abstract: In a medical image data managing system, a directory managing unit is employed so as to manage directory data on overall medical image data. The medical image data managing system comprises: a plurality of modality units for producing medical image data in accordance with sorts of the modality unit a plurality of database units for storing at least the medical image data produced from the modality units: workstation units for issuing a demand to fetch desirable medical image data from the database units and for displaying the fetched medical image data; and, a directory managing unit for storing directory information about to which database units the desirable medical image data has been stored and for outputting the directory information upon receipt of the demand issued from the workstation means.

Abstract: A picture archiving communication system for storing, transferring various digital image data in a single or a plurality of hospitals includes a modality, a data base, a workstation as a display unit, and a network for connecting these components. The modality includes various diagnosis apparatuses for generating medical digital images, such as a film digitizer, an angiography apparatus, a CT scanner, an MRI system, a nuclear medicine diagnosis apparatus, an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus, and an electric endoscope. An examination ordering system is connected to the network. The workstation outputs computer-aided diagnosis data obtained by analyzing medical image data by means of a computer. This computer-aided diagnosis data includes the location, the type, and the degree of abnormality. In order to alarm an abnormality, the workstation displays a marker pointing the portion of the abnormal portion on the image, a text sentence representing the details of the abnormality.

Abstract: In a medical information communication system, image data and image addition data acquired by modalities are stored in a database. An unread examination list and a read examination list are produced in the database, and are transferred to work stations during a reading operation. List data for the read examination list is arranged in accordance with a desired priority order. Image data or the like associated with each examination list is transferred to magnetic disks from an optical disk.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus comprises an image data acquisition section, a variation detecting section, a selecting section, and a storage section. The image data acquisition section acquires a series of image data groups including a time-varying element of a subject under examination. The variation detecting section detects a variation of the varying element in the series of image data groups. The selecting section selects a desired image data group out of the image data groups on the basis of the variation detected by the detecting section. The storage section stores the desired image data selected by the selecting section.

Abstract: When medical image data is acquired by imaging equipment of modality, modality outputs an image data transfer request command to a data base, via a network. After a memory area of a TMD (temporal magnetic disc) of the data base is secured, the acquired image data is transferred from modality to the TMD. When an image data retrieval request command is input from a WS (work station) of a console to data base through network, retrieval of the image data stored in the data base is performed, the retrieved data is transferred to the WS, and is displayed. The operator requests data base to read out image data by retrieval result. Data base is searched memory address of the requested image data. When the requested image data is stored in OD (optical disc), image data stored in OD is transferred to TMD. Image data stored in TMD is transferred to WS, and is displayed.

Abstract: A series of data access is performed wherein a representative pixel of each divided region obtained by dividing an original image frame into a plurality of regions is sequentially accessed while increasing the number of divisions. The series of data access is repeated for each bit string so that data of each bit string obtained by dividing gradation data of each pixel into a plurality of bit strings are sequentially read out from the upper string to the lower bit string, and the resultant data are sequentially stored in a storage medium. In this manner, image data of a plurality of frames are stored in the storage medium. The image data of a plurality of frames stored in the storage medium are read out in units of predetermined number of data for each image data, and data of pixels which have not yet been read out in each image frame are interpolated and displayed.

Abstract: An X-ray image processing apparatus includes an arithmetic operation section for processing the X-ray image data, to eliminate X-ray scattered components (first blurring factor) and a veiling glare (second blurring factor) which occurs when an image intensifier converts X-ray image to a photo-image, and a TV camera converts the photo-image to an image signal. The X-ray image data obtained by eliminating the scattered components and the blurring components derived from the veiling glare includes only blurring components (third blurring factor) derived from the characteristics of an X-ray tube, an image intensifier, and TV camera. A blurring restoration filter circuit is provided, for forming a filter for restoring the blurring from the third factor.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging system has an X-ray source, an X-ray image detection section, an X-ray mask member, a drive unit, a memory, a calculating section, and an image output unit. An X-ray image is detected by the X-ray image detection section. The X-ray mask member has X-ray shielding regions, distributed in a predetermined pattern, which locally shield the X-ray. The mask member is driven by the drive unit so that it is inserted in or removed from an X-ray radiation field between the X-ray image detection section and the X-ray source, and is sequentially displaced to predetermined positions in the radiation field. The calculating section calculates scattered X-ray intensity distribution data based on a plurality of transmission X-ray data obtained by irradiating an object with X-rays with the mask member located at different positions in the radiation field, and transmission X-ray data obtained by irradiating the object with X-rays with the mask member located outside this field.