U.S. patent application number 13/849159 was filed with the patent office on 2013-08-29 for medical report writing support system, medical report writing unit, and medical image observation unit.
This patent application is currently assigned to Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation. Invention is credited to Hiroshi FUKATSU, Koichi Terai.
Application Number | 20130223708 13/849159 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47644925 |
Filed Date | 2013-08-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130223708 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
FUKATSU; Hiroshi ; et
al. |
August 29, 2013 |
MEDICAL REPORT WRITING SUPPORT SYSTEM, MEDICAL REPORT WRITING UNIT,
AND MEDICAL IMAGE OBSERVATION UNIT
Abstract
According to one embodiment, a medical report writing support
system comprises an analyzing unit which analyzes a difference
regarding at least one of a change in key images between a first
report and a second report regarding a predetermined patient and a
change in hyperlinks, and acquires an analyzed result, and a
difference information generation unit which generates difference
information based on the analyzed result.
Inventors: |
FUKATSU; Hiroshi;
(Nagoya-shi, JP) ; Terai; Koichi; (Otawara-shi,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation; |
|
|
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Toshiba Medical Systems
Corporation
Otawara-shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
47644925 |
Appl. No.: |
13/849159 |
Filed: |
March 22, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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13569611 |
Aug 8, 2012 |
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13849159 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
382/128 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06T 7/0012 20130101;
G06K 9/6202 20130101; G16H 15/00 20180101; G06T 2207/10004
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
382/128 |
International
Class: |
G06K 9/62 20060101
G06K009/62 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 8, 2011 |
JP |
2011-173448 |
Claims
1. A medical report writing support system comprising an analyzing
unit which analyzes a difference regarding at least one of a change
in key images between a first report and a second report regarding
a predetermined patient and a change in hyperlinks, and acquires an
analyzed result; and a difference information generation unit which
generates difference information based on the analyzed result.
2. The medical report writing support system according to claim 1,
wherein the difference information generation unit generates
difference information representing at least any one of correction,
addition, and deletion of a text string included in the first
report, as the difference information.
3. The medical support writing support system according to claim 1,
wherein the difference information generation unit generates
differential information, as difference information, representing
deletion or replacement of a key image attached to the first
report, attachment of a new key image to the first report, change
of an image parameter for the key image attached to the first
report, correction, addition, and deletion of a comment on the key
image attached onto the first report.
4. The medical report writing support system according to claim 1,
wherein the difference information generation unit generates
differential information representing any one of correction,
addition, and deletion of a hyperlink included in the first
report.
5. The medical report writing support system according to claim 1,
further comprising: a specification unit which specifies at least
one of an operator of the second report, an operator who referred
to the second report, and an operator who referred to the first
report; and a notification unit which notifies the specified
operator that the difference information exists, when the
difference information is generated.
6. The medical report writing support system according to claim 1,
wherein a predetermined instruction is an instruction for storing
the second report.
7. The medical report writing support system according to claim 1,
wherein a predetermined instruction is an instruction for starting
the analysis, and is input at an arbitrary timing by an operator
through an input unit.
8. A medical report writing support system comprising: an analyzing
unit which analyzes a difference regarding at least one of a change
in key images between a first report and a second report regarding
a predetermined patient and a change in hyperlinks, and determines
whether a difference exists therebetween; a specification unit
which specifies at least one of an operator of the second report,
an operator who referred to the second report, and an operator who
referred to the first report; and a notification unit which
notifies the specified operator about existence of the difference,
when the analyzing unit determines that the difference exists.
9. The medical report writing support system according to claim 8,
further comprising a difference information generation unit which
generates difference information based on an analyzed result of the
analyzing unit.
10. The medical report writing support system according to claim 9,
wherein the difference information generation unit generates
differential information representing at least one of correction,
addition, and deletion of text strings included in the first
version of the report, as the difference information.
11. The medical report writing support system according to claim 9,
wherein the difference information generation unit generates, as
difference information, differential information representing at
least one of deletion or replacement of a key image attached to the
first version of the report, attachment of a new key image to the
first version of the report, change in an image parameter for the
key image attached to the first version of the report, correction,
addition, and deletion of a comment on the key image attached to
the first version of the report.
12. The medical report writing support system according to claim 9,
wherein the difference information generation unit generates
differential information representing any one of correction,
addition, and deletion of a hyperlink included in the first version
of the report.
13. The medical report writing support system according to claim 8,
further comprising: a specification unit which specifies at least
one of an operator of the second version of the report, an operator
who has referred to the second version of the report, and an
operator who has referred to the first version of the report; and a
notification unit which notifies the specified operator about
existence of the difference information, when the difference
information has been generated.
14. The medical report writing support system according to claim 8,
wherein a predetermined instruction is an instruction for storing
the second version of the report.
15. The medical report writing support system according to claim 8,
wherein a predetermined instruction is an instruction for starting
the analysis and input by the operator through an input unit at an
arbitrary timing.
16. A medical report writing unit comprising: an analyzing unit
which analyzes a difference regarding at least one of a change in
key images between a first version of a report and a second version
of the report regarding a predetermined patient and a change in
hyperlinks, and acquires an analyzed result; and a difference
information generation unit which generates difference information
based on the analyzed result.
17. A medical image observation unit comprising: an analyzing unit
which analyzes a difference regarding at least one of a change in
key images between a first version of a report and a second version
of the report regarding a predetermined patient, and acquires an
analyzed result; and a difference information generation unit which
generates difference information based on the analyzed result.
18. A medical report writing support system comprising: an
analyzing unit which analyzes a difference regarding at least one
of a change in key images between a first version of a report and a
second version of the report regarding a predetermined patient and
a change in hyperlinks, and determines whether a difference exists
therebetween; a specification unit which specifies at least one of
an operator of the second version of the report, an operator who
has referred to the second version of the report, and an operator
who has referred to the first version of the report; and a
notification unit which notifies the specified operator about
existence of the difference, when the analyzing unit determines
that the difference exists.
19. A medical image observation unit comprising: an analyzing unit
which analyzes a difference regarding at least one of a change in
key images between a first version of a report and a second version
of the report corresponding to a predetermined patient and a change
in hyperlinks, and determines whether a difference exists
therebetween; a specification unit which specifies at least one of
an operator of the second version of the report, an operator who
has referred to the second version of the report, and an operator
who has referred to the first version of the report; and a
notification unit which notifies the specified operator about
existence of the difference, when the analyzing unit determines
that the difference exists.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 13/569,611 filed Aug. 8, 2012, which is based upon and claims
the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No.
2011-173448, filed Aug. 8, 2011, the entire contents of which are
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD
[0002] Embodiments described herein relate generally to a medical
report writing support system, a medical report writing unit, and a
medical image observation unit.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In recent years, specialization of medical practice is
subdivided. For example, image diagnosis includes several different
works that are: acquisition of a diagnostic image for a patient;
(radiological) interpretation of the acquired diagnostic image and
writing a report for it; and explanation of a diagnostic result and
medical practice plan, based on a result of the report. Each of the
works is taken under each specialist's charge (attending doctor or
attending engineer or technician). All these works are done to
achieve the medical practice for the diagnosis of a corresponding
patient. Each of the specialists executes each medical work by
referring to appropriate past diagnostic information, and based on
information written by another specialist during the medical work
of the previous stage. These medical works are performed using, for
example, an X-ray CT system acquiring diagnostic images, a medical
image pickup unit (MRI system), a medical image storage unit (PACS
server) storing the diagnostic images, and a medical image
observation unit for an (radiological) interpretation on the
diagnostic images.
[0004] That is, first of all, a requested doctor (attending doctor)
forms an examination (study) order (a request for examination to be
done next and which is transmitted to various medical image pickup
unit through a network N using an order system), based on an
inquiry for each patient, and informs a laboratory technician about
it. Then, the informed laboratory technician performs an
examination using a predetermined medical image pickup unit, and
acquires a medical image about a corresponding patient. A
radiologist uses a medical report writing unit to write a
radiological report corresponding to the examination order. The
requested doctor refers to the written report, decides a result of
image diagnosis, performs diagnosis on the image in combination
with another information, and then performs medical practice for
the patient.
[0005] In the medical report writing unit in the recent years, a
plurality of operators can write a medical report. For example, a
young radiologist (primary operator) first performs an
interpretation, writes a temporary storage report. Then, an expert
radiologist (secondary operator) checks and corrects the contents
of this report as needed, and finally stores the report. The
corrected contents, which are made by the secondary operator on the
temporarily stored report, can be said as effective information
especially for the primary operator or other operators who have
referred to the temporarily stored report.
[0006] However, the existing medical report writing units do not
include a system which certainly and clearly notifies the corrected
contents to the participant operators.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of a
medical image diagnostic system according to an embodiment;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a block configuration of a
medical image observation unit according to the embodiment;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration of
a medical report writing unit according to the embodiment;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration of
a medical image storage unit according to the embodiment;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a process
(medical report writing support process) in accordance with a
medical report writing support system according to a first
embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating the flow of
each process from flowchart step S0 to step S8, showing a process
(medical report writing support system) according to the first
embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of difference
notification, by displaying a "correction" mark on an examination
list, after a participant operator logs into the medical report
writing unit, according to the embodiment;
[0014] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a form
showing a change in text strings, according to the embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating another example of a form
showing changes in text strings, according to the embodiment;
[0016] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen of
a display unit showing changes in text strings, according to the
embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a form
showing a change in key images, according to the embodiment;
[0018] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen of
a display unit showing a change in key images;
[0019] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a form
showing a change in hyperlinks, according to the embodiment;
[0020] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a form
showing a change in hyperlinks, according to the embodiment;
[0021] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a form
showing a change in hyperlinks, according to the embodiment;
[0022] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen of
a display unit showing a change in hyperlinks;
[0023] FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a medical
report writing support process, according to a second embodiment of
the present invention; and
[0024] FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a
medical report writing support process according to the fourth
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] In general, according to one embodiment, a medical report
writing support system comprises an analyzing unit which analyzes a
difference regarding at least one of a change in key images between
a first report and a second report regarding a predetermined
patient and a change in hyperlinks, and acquires an analyzed
result; and a difference information generation unit which
generates difference information based on the analyzed result.
[0026] Embodiment will now specifically be described with reference
to the drawings. In the following descriptions, the same functions
and configurations are identified with the same reference numerals,
and will repeatedly be described again only if needed.
First Embodiment
[0027] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of a
medical image diagnostic system S according to this embodiment. As
illustrated in FIG. 1, the medical image diagnostic system S
includes a medical image pickup unit 1, a medical image observation
unit 3, a medical report writing unit 5, and a medical image
storage unit 7. These units are connected with each other through a
network N, and can transmit data with each other. Configurations of
these units will be described below.
[Medical Image Pickup Unit]
[0028] The medical image pickup unit 1 is used for collecting
images in accordance with an order made by an attending doctor, and
may be any of various units, of: an X-ray computer tomographic
pickup unit; a magnetic resonance imaging unit; an X-ray diagnostic
unit; a nuclear medical diagnostic unit; and an ultrasonic
diagnostic unit. The medical image pickup unit 1 is not limited to
including these kinds of units. Images picked up by this medical
image pickup unit 1 are transmitted to the medical image storage
unit 7 in DICOM format.
[Medical Image Observation Unit]
[0029] The medical image observation unit 3 displays the medical
images, and is used when a user writes and edits or refers to a
medical report. Note that the medical image observation unit 3 and
the medical report writing unit may physically be incorporated in
one unit.
[0030] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a block configuration of
the medical image observation unit 3. As illustrated, the medical
image observation unit 3 includes an operation unit 30, a display
unit 31, an image processing unit 32, a control unit 33, a memory
unit 34, and a transmission/reception unit 35.
[0031] The operation unit 30 includes a keyboard, various switches,
a mouse, and a button (for example, GUI), and can input
instructions (various instructions including: display, gradation
change, enlargement/reduction, adding/deleting/changing of
annotation) from the operator. The operation unit 30 has an I/F for
instructing execution of the medical report writing support
process, as will be described later.
[0032] The display unit 31 displays an image which has been
processed in accordance with a predetermined image process by the
image processing unit 32, in a predetermined form.
[0033] The image processing unit 32 performs a predetermined image
process, such as volume rendering, surface rendering, MPR (multi
planar reconstruction), and MIP (maximum intensity projection).
[0034] The control unit 33 controls an overall static or dynamic
operation of the medical image observation unit 3. The control unit
33 develops a dedicated program into a non-illustrative memory,
thereby enabling to realize the medical report writing support
process, as will be described later.
[0035] The memory unit 34 stores various medical images (for
example, images based on the DICOM standard) acquired by the
medical image pickup unit 1 or medical images which have been
processed in accordance with a predetermined image process in the
medical image observation unit 3. The medical images are managed
based on various management information, such as the examination
(study), series, patient, and doctor, as needed.
[0036] The transmission/reception unit 35 receives a medical image
as a target object to be observed through the network N and various
information necessary for writing/editing a medical report, from
the medical image pickup unit 1. The transmission/reception unit 35
transmits a medical image which has been processed in accordance
with the image process by the image processing unit 32, to the
medical image storage unit 7 through the network N.
[Medical Report Writing Unit 5]
[0037] The medical report writing unit 5 is used for
writing/editing a report, recording the doctor's observation
through the image diagnosis. The user refers to the medical image
displayed on the medical image observation unit 3, and inputs a
comment on a medical report writing screen of the medical report
writing unit 5, thereby writing and editing a medical report.
[0038] FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration of
the medical report writing unit 5. As illustrated, the medical
report writing unit 5 includes an operation unit 50, a display unit
51, a report data processing unit 52, a control unit 53, a memory
unit 54, and a transmission/reception unit 55.
[0039] The operation unit 50 includes a keyboard, various switches,
and a mouse, and is a unit for the operator to input an instruction
for displaying a medical report about examination and a key input
for operating the report writing screen.
[0040] The display unit 51 displays an image acquired by the
medical image pickup unit 1, the report which is written on the
report writing/editing screen and by the report writing unit 5, the
past report received from the medical image storage unit 7,
difference information acquired in the medical report writing
support process as will be described later, in a predetermined
form.
[0041] The report data processing unit 52 writes and edits medical
reports in accordance with an input from the operation unit 50.
Note that editing of the medical report implies adding, deleting,
and changing of a key image (image as a reason or base of the
diagnosis), comment, and hyperlink, included in the medical
report.
[0042] The control unit 53 controls an overall operation of the
medical report writing unit 5. Particularly, the control unit 53
develops a dedicated program into a non-illustrative memory,
thereby executing the medical report writing support process, as
will be described later.
[0043] The memory unit 54 stores the previously written report and
a report as a presently written backup report. The memory unit 54
stores a dedicated program for realizing the medical report writing
support system, as will be described later.
[0044] The transmission/reception unit 55 receives various
information for writing/editing a target past medical report and
present medical report, to be edited through the network. The
transmission/reception unit 55 transmits the report written/edited
by the report data processing unit 52 to the medical image storage
unit 7, through the network.
[Medical Image Storage Unit]
[0045] The medical image storage unit 7 stores images collected by
the medical image pickup unit 1, registers, manages, and stores the
images on the management information, such as a database. The
medical image storage unit 7 stores the medical report written by
the medical report writing unit 5, and manages the report in
accordance with the management information. Further, the medical
image storage unit 7 performs difference analysis and generates
difference information, in the medical report writing support
process, as will be described later.
[0046] FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration of
the medical image storage unit 7. As illustrated, the medical image
storage unit 7 includes an image database 70, a report database 71,
a memory unit 72, a difference information generation unit 73, a
control unit 74, and a transmission/reception unit 75.
[0047] The image database 70 receives an image acquired by the
medical image pickup unit 1 and an image which has been processed
in accordance with an image process in the medical image
observation unit 3, through the network N, and stores and manages
the images based on the management information.
[0048] The report database 71 receives the medical report
written/edited by the medical report writing unit 5 through the
network N, stores and manages the received report based on
predetermined attributes (operator, patient, examination type). The
medical report has a "version number" as a concept representing the
sequential revised order, such as "first version" or "second
version" (that is, the smaller the version number, the older (past
in time) the report is, and the larger the version number, the
newer the report is). The corresponding report database 71 manages
information of the entire versions of the medical report.
[0049] The memory unit 72 stores a dedicated program for realizing
the medical report writing support process, as will be described
later.
[0050] The difference information generation unit 73 compares the
latest medical report data to be received after notification of
completion of operation with report data of earlier version (past
version) which is stored in the report DB, and analyzes difference
information. For example, the difference information generation
unit 73 analyzes a difference between text strings of the medical
report, between key images attached to the medical report, and
between hyperlinks attached to the text string of the medical
report.
[0051] The control unit 74 controls an overall operation of the
medical image storage unit 7. The control unit 74 searches for an
image stored in the image database 70 and a medical report stored
in the report database 71, based on the management information.
Further, the control unit 74 develops a dedicated program into a
non-illustrative memory, thereby realizing report writing/editing
application and the medical report writing support process, as will
be described later.
[0052] The transmission/reception unit 75 transmits interpretation
diagnosis, information necessary for writing a medical report, a
past report, and a past medical image, to the medical image
observation unit 3 and the medical report writing unit 5 through
the network N, as needed.
(Medical Report Writing Support System)
[0053] Descriptions will now be made to the medical report writing
support system. When a plurality of operators write and edit the
medical report, this medical report writing support system analyzes
a difference between a predetermined report and a report with a
smaller version number (old in time) than that of the predetermined
report, generates difference information to obviously notify
operators about the difference.
[0054] In this embodiment, for concrete descriptions, for example,
it is assumed that an expert radiologist as a secondary operator
edits the contents of a temporarily stored report, which has been
written by a young radiologist as a primary operator. In this case,
the medical report written by the secondary operator through an
editing process is compared with the medical report written by the
primary operator. Analysis is made on a difference between the two
medical reports. When a difference exists between the two medical
reports, difference information is generated and informed to the
participant operators.
[0055] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of a process (medical
report writing support process) executed by the medical report
writing support system. Descriptions will now be made to concrete
contents of each process executed in the medical report writing
support process, with the flowchart.
[0056] If the primary operator inputs an instruction for starting
to write a first report through the operation unit 50, the report
data processing unit 52 activates the report writing/editing
application (Step S0). In this case, the primary operator implies a
young radiologist who writes the first (primary) report regarding
corresponding examination. The control unit 53 writes a medical
report, in response to the instruction input from the primary
operator through the operation unit 50 in accordance with the
application (Step 1). In the operation for writing the medical
report, for example, some text string including a doctor's
observation and a comment are written, a key image is inserted
(attached), a hyperlink for a predetermined image or information is
executed.
[0057] Upon completion of the report writing operation, the primary
operator inputs a storage instruction through the operation unit
50. The report data processing unit 52 decides the written report
as a "first version of a report", in response to the storage
instruction (for example, an explicit storage instruction or an
instruction for closing a report file). Then, the unit 52 transmits
the first version of the report to the medical image storage unit 7
through the network N (Step S2). Upon reception of the first
version of the report through the transmission/reception unit 75,
the control unit 74 of the medical image storage unit 1 stores the
report in the report database (Step S3).
[0058] When the secondary operator inputs an instruction for
starting to edit the first version of the report for a
corresponding patient though the operation unit 50 at a
predetermined timing, the report data processing unit 52 activates
the report writing/editing application, and sends a request to the
medical image storage unit 7 for the first version of the report
for the corresponding patient, through the network N (Step S4). The
secondary operator implies an expert radiologist who executes
further editing on the "first version of the report" written by the
primary operator and writes the second version of the report. The
control unit 74 of the medical image storage unit 7 searches the
report database 71 for the first version of the report for the
corresponding patient, and transmits the read report to the medical
report writing unit 5 through the network N (Step S5).
[0059] Upon reception of the first version of the report from the
medical image storage unit 7 through the network N, the report data
processing unit 52 of the medical report writing unit 5 executes an
editing process for the first version of the report, in response to
an instruction input from the second operator through the operation
unit 50 (Step S6). In this editing operation for the medical
report, a text string including a doctor's observation and a
comment is added, changed, and deleted, a key image is deleted,
added, and changed, an image processing method is changed, and a
hyperlink for a predetermined image or information is added,
deleted, and changed. When the editing process is completed, the
secondary operator inputs a storage instruction through the
operation unit 50. The report data processing unit 52 decides the
report after the editing process for the first version of the
report, as a second version of a report, in response to the storage
instruction, and transmits the second version of the report to the
medical image storage unit 7 through the network N (Step S7). Upon
reception of the second version of the report through the
transmission/reception unit 75, the control unit 74 of the medical
image storage unit 1 stores the second version of the report in the
report database 71 (Step S8).
[0060] The flow of each of the above-described processes from Step
S0 to S8 is conceptually illustrated in FIG. 6.
[0061] The difference information generation unit 73 of the medical
image storage unit 7 executes a difference analysis process for a
difference between the reports (Step S9). This difference analysis
process is executed for the latest version of the report and a
previous report therebefore (past report), as a trigger that the
report for storage is received from the medical report writing unit
5. In this embodiment, the difference analysis process uses the
first version of the report and the second version of the
report.
[0062] That is, upon reception of the second version of the report
for storage (that is, the latest medical report), the difference
information generation unit 73 reads the first version of the
report (that is, earlier version of the report) stored in the
report database 71, compares the second version of the report and
the first version of the report, and analyzes a difference between
the two reports. This difference analysis can be classified as
difference analysis of, for example, the text string, key image, or
hyperlink. Descriptions will now be made to the contents of each
analysis process.
(Step S9a: Difference Analysis of Text String)
[0063] The difference analysis generation unit 73 determines a
difference between text strings included in the first version of
the report and text strings included in the second version of the
report, determines any text string (that is, text added into the
first version of the report before editing) which exists in the
second version of the report and does not exist in the first
version of the report, and determines a text string (that is, text
deleted from the first version of the report before editing) which
exists in the first version of the report and does not exist in the
second version of the report. When two symbol strings are given, a
known algorithm for extracting a difference between the symbol
strings may be applied. This algorithm is given for obtaining the
"Shortest Edit Script" for converting one of the two symbol strings
into the other.
(Step S9b: Difference Analysis of Key Images)
[0064] The difference information generation unit 73 determines a
difference between a key image included in the first version of the
report and a key image included in the second version of the
report, determines a key image (a key image added into the first
version of the report before editing) which exists in the second
version of the report but does not exist in the first version of
the report, and determines a key image (a key image deleted from
the first version of the report before editing) which exists in the
first version of the report but does not exist in the second
version of the report. In the determination of the difference
between the key images, a determination is also made as to whether
a change is made to an image processing method (gradation change,
enlargement/reduction, annotation, measurement process) for a key
image attached to the first version of the report.
[0065] The analysis on a difference between the key images is
achieved by analyzing a group of two key images. Specifically, a
process as will be described below is executed.
[0066] The group of key images is defined below, as a group of
"Image" indicating an image and "P" indicating an image processing
parameter for "Image".
Key image K=(Image, P)
[0067] A group "P" of image processing parameters is defined as
below.
[0068] The group of image processing parameters P={p_k|k=1 . . .
x}
[0069] Each "p_x" represents a set of an image processing type and
a value, and is information of, for example, P_1={"magnifying
percentage=75%", "rotation=25.degree."}.
[0070] Further, a group of key images "I" is defined as below.
[0071] A group of key images I={(Image_i, P_j)|i=1 . . . y, j=1 . .
. z}
[0072] At this time, two groups of key images "I" (group of key
images in the first version of the report) and "I" (group of key
images in the second version of the report) are analyzed in
accordance with the following standards (1) to (5).
(1) No difference is made between key images, if I=I'. (2)
(Image_i, P_j) is a key image without being edited, if (Image_i,
P_j) included in "I" is included also in "I'". (3) (Image_i, P_j)
is a key image which has been deleted from "I", if "Image_i"
included in "I" is not included in "I'". (4) (Image_i, P_j) is a
key image which has been added into "I", if "Image_i" included in
"I'" is not included in "I". (5) "Image_i" is a key image with a
changed image processing method, if "Image_i" included in "I" is
included in "I'", and if different "P_j" is combined with
"Image_i".
[0073] In the above example, the key image is defined as having a
set of an image and an image processing parameter, but may be
defined as having only an image(s). In this case, a difference
between key images includes only adding or deleting of a key image
(that is, a change in the image processing method or image
processing parameter is not assumed as a difference between key
images).
(Step S9c: Difference of Hyperlinks)
[0074] A difference of hyperlinks specifies an added hyperlink to
the report before editing, a deleted hyperlink from the report
before editing, replacement of an image for a hyperlink in the
report before editing, and whether there is a change in the
hyperlinked text string to the image in the report before
editing.
[0075] The hyperlink is defined as a set (URI, STRING) of a text
string "STRING" with an attached hyperlink and an identifier "URI"
specifying a destination hyperlink. At this time, a group of
hyperlinks "L" in the first version of the report and a group of
hyperlinks "L'" of the second version of the report are defined as
below.
[0076] The group "L" of hyperlinks in the first version of the
report={(URI_i, STRING_j)|i=1 . . . s, j=1 . . . t}
[0077] The group "L'" of hyperlinks in the second version of the
report={(URI'_k, STRING'_l)|k=1 . . . x, l=1 . . . y}
[0078] The analysis is made on each of a hyperlink added into the
first version of the report, a deleted hyperlink, replacement of an
image for a hyperlink, and a change in a hyperlinked text string,
in accordance with the following standards (1) to (10).
(1) Check whether there is a hyperlink having the same text string
as "STRING_n" in "L'", for a hyperlink (URI_m, STRING_n) included
in "L". (2) Set a hyperlink as "(URI'm, STRING_n)" and check
whether "URI_m" is the same as "URI'_m", if this hyperlink having
the same text string as "STRING_n" exists in "L'". (3) (URI_m,
STRING_n)=(URI'_m, STRING_n), and there is no difference between
the two hyperlinks, if "URI_m=URI'_m" in (2). (4) (URI'_m,
STRING_n) is a hyperlink corresponding to a replaced image for a
hyperlink (URI_m, STRING_n) of the report before being edited, if
"URI_m.noteq.URI'_m" in (2). (5) Check whether a hyperlink having
the same "URI" as "URI_m" exists in "L'", for a hyperlink (URI_m,
STRING_n) included in "L". (6) Set a hyperlink as (URI_m,
STRING'_n) and check whether "STRING_n" is the same as "STRING'_n",
if this hyperlink having the same "URI" as "URI_m" exists in "L'".
(7) (URI_m, STRING_n)=(URI_m, STRING'_n), and there is no
difference between the two hyperlinks, if "STRING_n=STRING'_n" in
(6). (8) (URI_m, STRING'_n) is a hyperlink with an edited hyperlink
text string, for a hyperlink (URI_m, STRING_n) of the report before
being edited, if "STRING_n.noteq.STRING'_n" in (6). (9) Of
hyperlinks included in "L'", a hyperlink without matching with any
of the above checks (1) and (5) is assumed as a hyperlink which has
been added into the report before edited. (10) Of hyperlinks
included in "L", a hyperlink whose matching hyperlink is not
existed in "L'" in accordance with any of the checks (1) and (5) is
assumed as a hyperlink which has been deleted from the report
before being edited.
[0079] In the hyperlink, a plurality of images may be linked to one
text string. At this time, the definition of the hyperlink is
extended as will be described below, thereby extending the previous
algorithm, adding and deleting an image to and from a
hyperlink.
(URI_SET, STRING)
[0080] URI_SET={URI_i|i=1 . . . x}
[0081] The difference information generation unit 73 executes an
operator specifying process for each of the first version of the
report and the second version of the report (Step S10). The
operator specifying process is to specify an operator participated
in writing a medical report of a particular version. A group "W" of
operators (participant operators) participated in writing a
particular medical report "d" of a particular version "e" is
defined as below.
W={operator i(i=1 to x) who notifies about completion of operation
(editing or referring to a report) on a version before "e" of
w.sub.--dei|d}
[0082] The difference information generation unit 73 specifies a
participant operator who notifies about difference information,
based on the group "W" of the participant operators.
[0083] The definition of the participant operators is not limited
to the above. For example, the participant operator may not include
all operators who notify about completion of operation, and may
include only an operator who instructs for, for example,
storage.
[0084] The difference information generation unit 73 generates
difference information for showing to the participant operator
about a difference between text strings, key images, and hyperlinks
determined through the difference analysis process, and stores the
generated information as accompanying information of the second
version of the report in the report database 71 (Step S11). This
difference information is generated in a form to recognize, for
example, a difference of the second version of the report from the
first version of the report, as will be described later. A specific
form of the difference information will be described together with
the contents of Step S15.
[0085] The difference information generation unit 73 generates
information (notification of correction) for notifying the
participant operator about existence of report difference
information, and transmits the information to the medical report
writing unit 5 (Step S12). This transmission of notification is
performed as a trigger that, for example, difference information is
generated. FIG. 7 shows a display example of notification of
correction in a form of a correction mark on an examination list.
This display is made after the participant operator logs into the
medical report writing unit 7.
[0086] After the participant operator logs into the medical report
writing unit 5, a request instruction for difference information is
transmitted to the medical image storage unit 7 at an arbitrary
timing, upon reception of an instruction from the participant
operator confirming the notification of correction (Step S13). Upon
reception of this request, the medical image storage unit 7
searches the report database 71 for the second version of the
report, and transmits the report to the medical report writing unit
5 through the network N (Step S14).
[0087] The report data processing unit 52 of the medical report
wiring unit 5 receives the second version of the report from the
medical image storage unit 7 through the network 7, and presents
difference information stored as accompanying information of the
second version of the report in a predetermined form (Step S15).
Descriptions will now be made to a specific example of the form for
presenting the information.
(Presenting Form of Change in Text Strings)
[0088] Presenting (displaying) of a change in the text string
includes displaying a change, including text added into the report
before being edited or deleted text therefrom. As a result of the
difference analysis process, a difference shown in FIG. 8 is
displayed. In this illustration, a text string with strike-through
has been deleted from the report before being edited. Any text
string displayed in red is added into the report before being
edited.
[0089] FIG. 8 shows an example in which strike-through is made in
the unit of character (letter) text. However, not limited to this
example, the strike-through may be made in the unit of words or
characters. For example, if the strike-through is made in the unit
of, for example, sentences, a difference in text strings is
displayed as illustrated in FIG. 9.
[0090] The difference in text strings illustrated in FIG. 8 and
FIG. 9 can be displayed in a form shown in FIG. 10, in the display
unit 51 of the medical report writing unit 5.
(Change in Key Images)
[0091] The display of a change in key images distinguishably
specifies an added key image, a deleted key image, and whether the
key image before being edited has been edited (gradation change or
enlargement/reduction), all for the first version of the report
before being edited.
[0092] FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are diagrams each showing an example of
a form for presenting a change in key images. In the example of
illustration, the type of frame of each image is distinguished,
thereby distinguishing between an image without editing (displayed
image has not been edited), an added image (image added to the
first version of the report), a deleted image (image deleted from
the first report), and an edited image (image with a changed
parameter). Needless to say, the images may be distinguished
therebetween based on not only the type of frame of each image, but
also a frame color or predetermined mark. In the edited image, the
image before editing and the image after edited may be arranged in
a row, for example.
(Change in Hyperlinks)
[0093] The display of a difference between hyperlinks
distinguishably specifies an added hyperlink, a deleted hyperlink,
replacement of an image for a hyperlink, and a change in
hyperlinked text strings (a text string with an allotted
hyperlink), all for the first version of the report before being
edited.
[0094] FIG. 13 illustrates a case in which the same hyperlinked
image is provided for the first and second versions of the reports,
and different hyperlinked text strings are provided. The example of
this illustration specifies, as a change in hyperlinks, execution
of a process for editing and changing a text string "air
bronchogram" to a text string "cavity" hyperlinked thereto. These
text strings are hyperlinked to an image 1.
[0095] FIG. 14 shows an example of a case in which the same
hyperlinked text image is provided and different hyperlinked images
are provided. The example of this illustration specifies, as a
change in hyperlinks, execution of an editing process for changing
(replacing) "image 2" to "image 3" as a target hyperlink of the
text string "consolidation". In FIG. 14, like FIG. 11 and FIG. 12,
the types of frame of the image are distinguished, thereby
distinguishing between an image without being edited, an added
image, a deleted image, and an edited image.
[0096] FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining a change in hyperlinks,
when a hyperlink is added or deleted. The example of this
illustration shows, as a change in hyperlinks, the frame of an
image 4 in blue. This blue display implies allotment of a new
hyperlink for the image 4, for a text string "right upper lung
field". If the hyperlink to the image 4 allotted to the text string
"right upper lung field" is deleted, the frame of the image 4 is
displayed in red, thereby specifying a change in the
hyperlinks.
[0097] The change in the hyperlinks illustrated in FIGS. 13, 14,
and 15 can be displayed in the form illustrated, for example, in
FIG. 16, on the display unit 51 of the medical report writing unit
5.
(Effect)
[0098] According to the medical report writing support system of
this embodiment, when a plurality of operators write and edit a
medical report, an analysis is made on a difference between a
predetermined report and a report with a version number smaller
(old in time) than that of the predetermined report, and difference
information is generated to certainly and clearly notify the
operators about it. Specifically, an analysis is made on a medical
report written through an editing process by the secondary operator
and on a medical report written by the primary operator, when the
expert radiologist as the second operator edits the contents of the
temporarily stored report written by the young radiologist as the
primary operator. As a result of the analysis, if there is a
difference between the two medical reports, difference information
is generated and given to the participant operators. The
participant operators observe the given difference information,
thereby quickly and easily recognizing a change in the first
version of the report. As a result, for example, the primary
operator can use the given difference information for a future
(radiological) interpretation, thus contributing to improvement of
quality in the medical image diagnosis.
Second Embodiment
[0099] In the first embodiment, as one example, the difference
analysis process is executed, in accordance with storage of the
second version of the report as a trigger. In a medical report
writing support system according to the second embodiment, the
report data processing unit 52 of the medical report writing unit 5
has the function of the difference information generation unit 73,
and dynamically executes a difference analysis process at an
arbitrary timing in which the operator intends to see a difference
between the second version of the report and the first version of
the report.
[0100] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the flow of a medical report
writing support process according to the second embodiment. In a
typical case in which this flowchart is applied, a secondary
operator intends to see a difference between the first version of
the report and the second version of the report, when the secondary
operator (or tertiary or higher operator) observes the second
version of the report using the medical report writing unit 5.
[0101] As illustrated in FIG. 17, when execution of the medical
report writing support process is input through the operation unit
50 at an arbitrary timing during the observation of the second
version of the report, the report data writing unit 52 executes the
same difference analysis process as that of Step S9 illustrated in
FIG. 5 (Step S20).
[0102] The difference information generation unit 73 generates
difference information for showing a difference between text
strings, key images, and hyperlinks that are determined through the
difference analysis process, to the participant operators (Step
S21), and shows the difference information in the form shown in
Step S15 (Step S22). The secondary operator observes the presented
difference information, thereby visibly and easily recognizing a
difference between the first version of the report and the second
version of the report.
[0103] When it is intended to store the shown difference
information, a predetermined instruction is input from the
operation unit 50, the second version of the report having the
difference information as accompanying information is transmitted
to the medical image storage unit 7 through the network 7 (Step
S23). The control unit 74 stores the second version of the report
having the difference information as the accompanying information,
in the report database 71 (Step S24).
[0104] According to the configuration described above, the medical
report writing process according to the first embodiment can
flexibly be executed.
[0105] The configuration may further include a
comparison/verification unit which compares and verifies difference
information (first difference information) stored as accompanying
information of the second version of the report in Step S24, with
difference information (second difference information) between the
first version of the report and the second version of the report.
This second difference information is newly generated at an
arbitrary timing, after the first difference information is
generated and stored. This configuration certainly realizes
detection and notification about a fact in which any of the reports
is rewritten by an unauthorized someone.
[0106] It is assumed, for example, after the first version and
second version of the reports are stored in Step S24, a malicious
third party may update any of the first and second versions of
reports at an arbitrary timing. In this case, a difference is made
between the first difference information and the second difference
information, and the maliciously rewritten report and the
difference information are updated and would be new data. Thus,
when it is not understood about any of the reports has maliciously
been rewritten, a problem is that the maliciously-rewritten report
or difference information may be used.
[0107] The comparison/verification unit generates difference
information for verification between the first version of the
report and the second version of the report at an arbitrary timing.
The comparison/verification unit compares the generated difference
information for verification and the latest difference information
of the stored difference information, and verifies whether there is
a difference between the two. The medical report writing support
system can inform the operator that the report has been updated by
a third party, based on the difference detected by the
comparison/verification unit. The above-described
comparison/verification operation may be performed upon reception
of a request for reading a report, or may be performed on the side
of the unit at a predetermined timing (for example, regularly).
[0108] With this function, the falsified medical data can be
detected, thus improving data reliability.
Third Embodiment
[0109] In the first and second embodiments, the difference
information is stored in the report database 71 as accompanying
information of the second version of the report. This difference
information represents the text strings, the key images, and the
hyperlinks, and is determined by the difference analysis process of
the difference information generation unit 73. However, this
difference information is not necessarily stored. Every time the
operator requests for difference information, the difference
information may be analyzed and shown to the operator. After this,
this information may be destroyed without being stored.
Fourth Embodiment
[0110] According to the configuration of the first to third
embodiments, difference information between the first version of
the report and the second version of the report is always
generated, based on the analyzed result. In the fourth embodiment,
however, generation of the difference information is arbitrary, and
a determination is made as to whether a difference exists between
the first version of the report and the second version of the
report based on the analyzed result. When determined that a
difference exists between the two reports, the difference is
actively given to the operators.
[0111] FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a
medical report writing support process according to the fourth
embodiment. When compared this illustration with FIG. 5, a
difference is that Step S10a is newly added. That is, in each of
Steps S0 to S10, the same contents described in the first
embodiment are executed in each process. The difference information
generation unit 73 determines whether a difference exists between
the first version of the report and the second version of the
report, based on a result of the difference analysis process. When
it is determined that a difference exists, information about this
difference is transmitted to the operator specified in Step S10
(that is, the medical report writing unit used by the corresponding
operator to write the report), through the network (Step S10a).
[0112] After this information is transmitted, each process from
Step S11 to S15 is executed like the first embodiment, and this
medical report writing support process is completed.
[0113] FIG. 18 shows an example of a case for generating difference
information. However, according to a configuration of this
embodiment, information representing existence of the difference
may actively be transmitted to the operator, without generating the
difference information.
[0114] According to the above-described configuration, when a
plurality of operators write and edit a medical report, each
operator can rapidly and easily know a fact that a difference
(correction on the doctor's observation) exists between a
predetermined report and a report with a smaller version (old in
time) than that of the predetermined report. As a result, for
example, a primary operator can use the transmitted difference
information for a future interpretation as needed, and can
contribute to improvement of quality in image diagnosis.
[0115] The above-described embodiments are not limited in this
context. In the practical phase, constituent elements may be
modified and realized without departing from their point. Specific
modifications may be realized as follows:
(1) Each of the functions of the above-described embodiments can be
realized by installing programs executing the processes on a
computer, such as workstation, and by developing the programs into
a memory. At this time, a program for controlling a computer to
execute the corresponding technique can be distributed in a way
that the program is stored in a magnetic disc (floppy (registered
trademark) disc, hard disc), optical disc (CD-ROM, DVD), or a
semiconductor memory. (2) The medical report writing support system
according to each of the above-described embodiment is realized
with the image database 70 provided in the medical image storage
unit 7, the report database 71, and the difference information
generation unit 73, for example. However, without limiting to the
above-described embodiments, the medical report writing support
system can be realized, by storing target image data and medical
report data in, for example, the medical report writing unit 5 and
the medical image observation unit 3, and by having a function of
the difference information generation unit 73.
[0116] The embodiments of the present invention have been
described. The embodiments have been presented by way of example,
and are not intended to limit scope of the present invention. These
embodiments can be implemented in other forms, and can be omitted,
replaced, and changed without departing from the scope of the
present invention. These embodiments and their modifications are
included in the scope or point of the present invention, and
included within the inventions set forth in the claims and
equivalent scope thereof.
* * * * *