JP2008125881A - Medical image diagnostic apparatus, medical image processing apparatus, and medical image processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a medical image diagnostic apparatus, and a medical image processing apparatus and program capable of sufficiently erasing bone image data without erasing blood vessel image data with a simple operation. <P>SOLUTION: A three-dimensional image data creation section 252 creates three-dimensional display image data from three-dimensional image data and displays an image on an image display section. When a starting point of a connecting area and an ROI (Region Of Interest) are specified in the three-dimensional display image displayed on the image display section and whether a segment process is executed in the inside area or the outside area of the ROI is specified, a segment data management section 255 creates segment data based on the information and a segment processing section 259 executes the segment process on either of the inside area of the ROI or the outside area of the ROI. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a medical image diagnostic apparatus, a medical image processing apparatus, and a medical image processing program, and more particularly, a medical image having a function of extracting a region from three-dimensional image data and deleting the three-dimensional image data inside and outside the extracted region. The present invention relates to a diagnostic apparatus, a medical image processing apparatus, and a program.

  Conventionally, there is an X-ray CT apparatus as a medical image diagnostic apparatus that irradiates a subject with X-rays, detects transmitted X-rays, and reconstructs three-dimensional image data. In an X-ray CT apparatus, a contrast medium is often administered to a subject to perform imaging, and images for the purpose of observing an organ such as a blood vessel are often collected. In such imaging for the purpose of observing blood vessels, three-dimensional image data of contrasted blood vessels is reconstructed by administration of a contrast agent, and three-dimensional projection image data is created from the three-dimensional image data. Here, as a method of creating the three-dimensional projection image data, for example, there is a maximum value projection (MIP) method. Further, the three-dimensional projection image data (MIP image data) created by such MIP method is used for observing the shape, size, position, etc. of the inside of the blood vessel such as stenosis and divergence.

  By the way, since the contrast blood vessel and the bone have an overlapping portion in the CT value range, for example, when the bone and the blood vessel are adjacent to each other or when the bone and the blood vessel are overlapped depending on the display angle, the MIP image When displaying the image, the bone is imaged and displayed together with the contrasted blood vessel, which makes it difficult to observe the blood vessel.

  Therefore, a so-called bone removal process is performed in which a SVR (Shaded Volume Rendering) image or the like is created in the process of creating the MIP image, and three-dimensional image data corresponding to the bone is selectively deleted on the SVR image. This boning process is performed as follows. First, considering the difference in CT value range between bone and contrast vessel for 3D image data, the threshold value by CT value and the opacity for CT value are set higher. After separating the contrasted blood vessel (after thinning the blood vessel and bone), 3D display image data such as SVR image data is created based on the 3D image data subjected to such threshold processing, and the image Display on the display. An operator such as a doctor designates a bone part to be deleted from the three-dimensional display image displayed on the image display unit. In response to this, a region connected to the designated bone (connected region) is extracted by a generally used connected region extraction method. Next, the extraction region is dilated to restore the thinned bone region. At this time, an operator such as a doctor checks whether the extraction region expanded by a cross-sectional image (MPR image) created based on a three-dimensional display image such as an SVR image or three-dimensional image data contains a blood vessel. If the blood vessel is contained, the expanded extraction region is eroded or returned to the state before the expansion. Such processing is repeated and the extraction region is deleted after the extraction region does not contain blood vessels. By performing segment processing such as expansion processing, contraction processing, and deletion processing, it is possible to selectively delete image data of a bone region.

Here, when the removal of the portion not to be deleted (ie, the blood vessel portion) fails during the expansion process from the extraction of the connected region, the segment processing is performed again after partially generating a copy of the three-dimensional image data. It is also performed to extract a region to be deleted.
JP-A-9-73557

  Here, when the amount of expansion is increased so that the bone region can be sufficiently included when the extraction region is expanded, blood vessels that should not be deleted tend to be included in the extracted region after expansion. Conversely, if the amount of expansion is reduced so that blood vessels are not included, there is a possibility that the thinned bone region cannot be extracted sufficiently. In this case, the image data of the bone region of that portion cannot be deleted, and the image of the surface portion of the bone remains at the time of display. Furthermore, in the segment processing for partially replicated 3D display image data, it is easy to extract only the bone region, but the amount of processing data and the number of operations increase as the number of target parts increases.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. A medical image diagnostic apparatus and a medical image processing apparatus that can sufficiently delete bone image data without deleting blood vessel image data with a simple operation. And to provide a program.

  In order to achieve the above object, a medical image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention reconstructs three-dimensional image data from transmission data collection means for collecting transmission data of a subject and the collected transmission data. Image reconstructing means, 3D display image data creating means for creating 3D display image data from the reconstructed 3D image data, and a 3D display image based on the created 3D display image data An image display means for displaying, a connected area specifying means for specifying a start point of a connected area to be deleted in the displayed three-dimensional display image, and an area connected to the specified start point is extracted as the connected area Connected region extracting means, interested region setting means for setting a region of interest in the displayed three-dimensional display image, external and internal connected regions of the set region of interest Update region selection means for selecting which to update, update region extraction means for extracting a region outside or inside the set region of interest according to the selection result of the update region selection means, and the update region extraction means And processing means for updating the connected region extracted by the connected region extracting means in the region outside or inside the region of interest extracted by the step (1).

  In order to achieve the above object, a medical image processing apparatus according to claim 5 of the present invention is a connected region specification that specifies a start point of a connected region to be deleted in a three-dimensional display image displayed on an image display unit. Means, a connected region extracting means for extracting a region connected to the designated start point as the connected region, a region of interest setting means for setting a region of interest in the displayed three-dimensional display image, and the set Update region selection means for selecting which of the connection regions outside and inside the region of interest to be updated, and an update region for extracting regions outside or inside the set region of interest according to the selection result of the update region selection means Updating the connected region extracted by the connected region extracting unit in an area outside or inside the region of interest extracted by the extracting unit and the updated region extracting unit; Characterized by comprising a processing unit.

  In order to achieve the above object, a medical image processing program according to claim 6 of the present invention includes a computer, image reconstruction means for reconstructing three-dimensional image data from transmission data, and the reconstructed 3 3D display image data creation means for creating 3D display image data from the 3D image data, image display means for displaying a 3D display image based on the created 3D display image data, and the displayed 3 Connected region specifying means for specifying a start point of a connected region to be deleted in a three-dimensional display image, connected region extracting means for extracting a region connected to the specified start point as the connected region, and the displayed three-dimensional Region-of-interest setting means for setting a region of interest in a display image, and an update area for selecting which of the connected region outside or inside the set region of interest is to be updated A selection means; an update area extraction means for extracting an area outside or inside the set region of interest according to a selection result of the update area selection means; and an outside or inside of the area of interest extracted by the update area extraction means It is made to function as a process means which updates the connection area | region extracted by the said connection area | region extraction means in this area | region.

  According to the medical image diagnosis apparatus of claim 1, the medical image processing apparatus of claim 5, and the medical image processing program of claim 6, only the connected region outside or inside the region of interest extracted by the update region extracting means is used. The connected area can be updated. As a result, the bone image data can be sufficiently deleted without deleting the blood vessel image data.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a medical image diagnostic apparatus, a medical image processing apparatus, and a program that can sufficiently delete bone image data with a simple operation without deleting blood vessel image data.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an X-ray CT apparatus as an example of a medical image diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. An X-ray CT apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 mainly includes a gantry unit 10 and a computer apparatus 20.

  The gantry unit 10 includes an X-ray tube 11, a high voltage generator 12, an X-ray detector 13, and a data acquisition unit (DAS; Digital Acquisition System) 14.

  The X-ray tube 11 is connected to a high voltage generator 12 and is attached to a rotating ring (not shown) that rotates at high speed and continuously in the direction A in the drawing. The high voltage generator 12 supplies a tube current or a tube voltage to the X-ray tube 11 in response to a control signal from the computer device 20. The X-ray tube 11 receives this tube current or tube voltage and irradiates the subject P with X-rays while rotating around the subject P to which the contrast medium is administered.

  The X-ray detector 13 is arranged on a rotating ring (not shown) so as to face each other with the subject P sandwiched with the X-ray tube 11. The X-ray detector 13 detects X-rays irradiated from the X-ray tube 11 and transmitted through the subject P, and outputs an X-ray detection signal corresponding to the detected X-ray dose. The data collection unit 14 digitizes the X-ray detection signal detected by the X-ray detector 13 and outputs it to the computer device 20 as transmission data.

  In the computer device 20, a preprocessing unit 21, a memory unit 22, a reconstruction unit 23, a storage device 24, a medical image processing device 25, an image display unit 26, and a control unit 27 are connected to a bus 28. Has been configured. An input unit 29 is connected to the control unit 27.

  The preprocessing unit 21 generates projection data by performing preprocessing such as correction processing on the transmission data obtained by the data collection unit 14. The memory unit 22 temporarily stores the projection data obtained by the preprocessing unit 21. The reconstruction unit 23 reads the projection data stored in the memory unit 22 and reconstructs 3D image data. The storage device 24 stores the three-dimensional image data obtained by the reconstruction unit 23 and the transmission data obtained by the data collection unit 14.

  The medical image processing device 25 reads the 3D image data stored in the storage device 24 and performs image processing for display. Here, although details will be described later, in this embodiment, the medical image processing device 25 includes MIP image data and the like included in the three-dimensional image data stored in the storage device 24 when creating MIP image data or the like for display. It has a function of creating after performing a bone removal process of selectively extracting and deleting image data of a bone region.

  An image display unit 26 that constitutes an image display unit together with the medical image processing device 25 displays various images and information created by the medical image processing device 25. The control unit 27 comprehensively controls the overall processing of the computer device 20. An input unit 29 that constitutes a connected region designation unit, a region of interest setting unit, and an update region selection unit together with the medical image processing device 25 is displayed on the display screen displayed on the image display unit 26 by an operator such as a doctor. An operation member such as a mouse or a keyboard for operating the device 20 is used.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration inside the medical image processing apparatus 25. The medical image processing apparatus 25 includes a three-dimensional image data management unit 251, a three-dimensional image data creation unit 252, a connected region designation unit 253, an ROI setting unit 254, a segment data management unit 255, and a segment region designation unit. 256, a connected region extraction unit 257, a segment region extraction unit 258, and a segment processing unit 259. Here, the configuration shown in FIG. 2 may be configured as hardware, or a medical image processing program executed by the control unit 27 of the computer device 20 that realizes the same function as the configuration shown in FIG. You may make it comprise as.

  The three-dimensional image data management unit 251 manages various data to be displayed on the image display unit 26. First, the 3D image data management unit 251 includes the latest area data (included in segment data described later) to be used for creating the 3D display image data (for example, SVR image data) received from the segment data management unit 255. ) Is read out from the storage device 24, and the read-out three-dimensional image data is output to the three-dimensional image data creation unit 252. Further, when the segment data, which will be described later in detail, is updated, the range of the 3D image data read from the storage device 24 is updated accordingly.

  The 3D image data creation unit 252 creates 3D display image data such as SVR image data from the 3D image data input from the 3D image data management unit 251, and outputs the 3D display image data to the image display unit 26. A function of generating three-dimensional projection image data such as an MIP image from the three-dimensional image data input from the three-dimensional image data management unit 251 and outputting the generated data to the image display unit 26.

  The connected area specifying unit 253 notifies the 3D image data managing unit 251 of the position information of the start point (called Seed point) of the area (connected area) to be deleted on the 3D display image. The start point of the connected area can be designated by the operator who has confirmed the three-dimensional display image displayed on the image display unit 26 via the input unit 29. When the input unit 29 is operated, a signal corresponding to the operation input is input from the control unit 27 to the connection area designating unit 253. When the start point of the connected area is designated by the operator, the 3D image data management unit 251 notifies the segment data management unit 255 of the position information of the start point of the connected area. In addition, after a connected region is extracted by a connected region extraction unit 257 described later, the region information (position and range of the connected region) of the connected region is output to the three-dimensional image data creation unit 252. The three-dimensional image data creation unit 252 superimposes the image data of the connected area on the three-dimensional display image data and outputs it to the image display unit 26. As a result, the connected area can be displayed on the image display unit 26.

  The ROI setting unit 254 notifies the three-dimensional image data management unit 251 of region information of a region of interest (ROI) for performing partial segment processing, which will be described later in detail. The ROI can be set via the input unit 29 by an operator who has confirmed the three-dimensional display image displayed on the image display unit 26. When the input unit 29 is operated, a signal corresponding to the operation input is input from the control unit 27 to the ROI setting unit 254. Here, the shape, size, and the like of the ROI are not particularly limited, and may be set as appropriate according to the application. Further, a plurality of ROIs may be set. When the ROI is set by the operator, the 3D image data management unit 251 notifies the segment data management unit 255 of ROI region information (ROI position and range). Further, the 3D image data management unit 251 outputs the ROI region information to the 3D image data creation unit 252. The three-dimensional image data creation unit 252 superimposes the ROI image data on the three-dimensional display image data and outputs it to the image display unit 26. As a result, the ROI can be displayed on the image display unit 26.

  The segment data management unit 255 comprehensively manages various data related to segment processing. The segment data management unit 255 has a function of outputting the position information of the start point of the connected region notified from the connected region specifying unit 253 to the connected region extracting unit 257, and the region information of the ROI notified from the ROI setting unit 254 Is output to the segment area extraction unit 258.

  The segment area designation unit 256 as an update area designation unit notifies the segment data management unit 255 of information (segment area designation flag) indicating which of the ROI internal area and external area is used for segment processing. Here, for example, the segment area designation flag is 0 when segment processing is performed in the ROI internal area, and is 1 when segment processing is performed in the ROI external area. The segment area designation flag can be designated by the operator via the input unit 29. When the input unit 29 is operated, a signal corresponding to the operation input is input from the control unit 27 to the segment area designating unit 256. When the segment area designation flag is received, the segment data management unit 255 outputs the segment area designation flag to the segment area extraction unit 258.

  The connected region extraction unit 257 obtains a connected region to be connected to the start point from the position information of the start point of the connected region notified from the segment data management unit 255, and obtains the region information of the obtained connected region (the connected region information). Position and range) are output to the segment data management unit 255.

  The segment area extraction unit 258 as an update area extraction unit is an area to be subjected to segment processing (hereinafter referred to as a segment area) from the segment area designation flag input from the segment data management section 255 and the ROI area information. The segment area becomes an ROI internal area or an ROI external area), and outputs the segment area information (segment area position and range) to the segment data management unit 255. The segment data management unit 255 generates segment data from the region information of the connection region from the connection region extraction unit 257 and the region information of the segment region from the segment region extraction unit 258.

  The segment processing unit 259 performs segment processing such as connected region expansion processing, connected region contraction processing, and connected region deletion processing on the segment data input from the segment data management unit 255, and the segment processing result is segmented. To the data management unit 255. The segment data management unit 255 reflects the segment processing result on the original segment data, and outputs the reflected segment data to the three-dimensional image data management unit 251.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of the bone removal process in the X-ray CT apparatus shown in FIG.

  First, the subject P is scanned by the gantry unit 10 of the X-ray CT apparatus 1, and transmission data is collected by the data collection unit 14. This transparent data is temporarily stored in the storage device 24 and then sent to the preprocessing unit 21. In the preprocessing unit 21, two-dimensional projection data is generated from the transmission data. The projection data generated in the preprocessing unit 21 is temporarily stored in the memory unit 22 and then sent to the reconstruction unit 23. In the reconstruction unit 23, three-dimensional image data is reconstructed from the projection data (step S1). The three-dimensional image data is stored in the storage device 24.

  Next, 3D display image data for bone removal processing is created, and a 3D display image is displayed on the image display unit 26 based on the created 3D display image data (step S2). For example, when displaying a three-dimensional display image, first, the three-dimensional image data management unit 251 sets a threshold value based on a CT value for separating the bone portion and the blood vessel portion so as to be distinguishable. The above three-dimensional image data is read from the storage device 24. The read three-dimensional image data is input to the three-dimensional image data creation unit 252. Then, after 3D display image data such as SVR image data is created in the 3D image data creation unit 252, a 3D display image for bone removal processing is displayed on the image display unit 26 based on the 3D display image data. Is displayed. Here, reference numeral 301 in FIG. 4A is an example in which an SVR image is displayed as a three-dimensional display image for the bone removal process. The image display unit 26 also displays a pointer 302 along with the SVR image 301.

  Here, the three-dimensional display image displayed on the image display unit 26 is not limited to the SVR image, and may be another image such as a surface display (SR) image.

  Next, the operator moves the pointer 302 to a desired position on the three-dimensional display image 301 via the input unit 29 and designates a point as a start point of a bone region to be deleted. The position information of this point is given to the connected area extraction unit 257 as the position information of the start point of the connected area (step S3). As a result, the point specified by the operator based on the position information of the start point of the connected region and the region information of the 3D image data read out by the 3D image data management unit 251 in the connected region extraction unit 257. A connected area to be connected is extracted (step S4). The region information of the connected region (extracted region) extracted by the connected region extracting unit 257 is sent to the three-dimensional image data creating unit 252. In the 3D image data creation unit 252, after the superimposition process for visually displaying the extraction region is performed, the connected region is displayed on the image display unit 26 (step S <b> 5). Here, FIG. 4B creates an image (MPR image) 501 corresponding to a cross section in a direction orthogonal to the body axis of the three-dimensional display image 301 shown in FIG. This is an example in which the extraction region 502 is superimposed and displayed on the MPR image 501. Of course, the extraction region may be superimposed on the three-dimensional display image 301 shown in FIG.

  Next, the operator sets an ROI having a desired shape and size at a desired position on the three-dimensional display image 301 via the input unit 29. At this time, a plurality of ROIs may be set. Thus, ROI region information is provided to the segment region extraction unit 258. Further, after the superimposition processing for visually displaying the ROI is performed in the three-dimensional image data creation unit 252, the image display unit 26 is referred to by the reference numeral 303 in FIG. 4A and the reference in FIG. 4B. The ROI is displayed as indicated by reference numeral 504 (step S6).

  Next, the operator designates whether to perform segment processing in the ROI internal region or segment processing in the ROI external region via the input unit 29. For example, when the area where the segment processing is performed is wide, the segment processing is performed in the area outside the ROI. On the other hand, when only a part of the segment processing area is used, the segment processing is performed in the ROI internal area.

  The segment area designating unit 256 determines the value of the segment designation flag to determine whether or not to perform segment processing in the ROI external area (step S7). Here, if a plurality of ROIs are set, the determination in step S7 is performed for each ROI.

  In the determination in step S7, when the segment area designation flag is 1, that is, when segment processing is performed in the ROI external area, the segment area extraction unit 258 sets all the ROI external areas set by the operator as segment areas. Extracted (step S8). The area information of the selected segment area is sent to the segment data management unit 255. In the segment data management unit 255, segment data is generated from the area information of the segment area and the area information of the extraction area (step S9). The segment data is sent to the segment processing unit 259.

  Thereafter, the segment processing unit 259 performs an expansion process or a contraction process on the segment data to adjust the extraction region (step S10). Thereafter, the result of segment processing (expansion processing or contraction processing) in the segment processing unit 259 is sent to the segment data management unit 255. Thereby, the segment data is updated (step S11). The updated segment data is sent to the three-dimensional image data creation unit 252. In the three-dimensional image data creation unit 252, after the superimposition process for visually displaying the updated extraction region is performed, the updated extraction region is displayed on the image display unit 26 (step S <b> 12). Subsequently, in the segment processing unit 259, it is determined whether or not another expansion process or contraction process is necessary (step S13). If it is determined in step S13 that another segment process is necessary, the process in step S10 is performed again. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S13 that re-segment processing is not necessary, the process proceeds to step S20. That is, the operator confirms the extraction area displayed on the image display unit 26 as shown in FIG. 4B, for example. As a result of this confirmation, if the updated extraction region 502 does not contain the blood vessel region 503 and contains a sufficient amount of the bone region, it is assumed that the extraction of the bone connection region has been properly performed. The extraction area is instructed to the segment processing unit 259 via the input unit 29. On the other hand, if the extraction of the bone connection region is not properly performed, the start point of the connection region is designated again via the input unit 29.

  Further, in the determination of step S7, when the segment area designation flag is 0, that is, when segment processing is performed in the ROI internal area, the segment area extracting unit 258 sets all the ROI internal areas set by the operator to the segment. Extracted as a region (step S14). The extracted segment area information is sent to the segment data management unit 255. In the segment data management unit 255, segment data is generated from the area information of the segment area and the area information of the extraction area (step S15). The segment data is sent to the segment processing unit 259.

  Thereafter, the segment processing unit 259 performs an expansion process or a contraction process on the segment data to adjust the extraction region (step S16). Thereafter, the result of segment processing (expansion processing or contraction processing) in the segment processing unit 259 is sent to the segment data management unit 255. Thereby, the segment data is updated (step S17). The updated segment data is sent to the three-dimensional image data creation unit 252. In the three-dimensional image data creation unit 252, after the superimposition process for visually displaying the updated extraction region is performed, the updated extraction region is displayed on the image display unit 26 (step S <b> 18). Subsequently, in the segment processing unit 259, it is determined whether or not another expansion process or contraction process is necessary (step S19). If it is determined in step S19 that another segment process is necessary, the process in step S16 is performed again. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S19 that re-segment processing is not necessary, the process proceeds to step S20.

  After step S13 or step S19, it is determined in the segment processing unit 259 whether or not the operator has instructed to delete the extraction area (step S20). If no deletion instruction has been given, the process returns to step S7. It is also possible to clear the extraction area and return to step S3.

  On the other hand, if a deletion instruction is given in the determination in step S20, extraction region deletion processing is performed (step S21). Thereafter, the result of segment processing (deletion processing) in the segment processing unit 259 is sent to the segment data management unit 255. Thereby, the segment data is updated (step S22).

  Thereafter, the process returns to step S2, and three-dimensional image data in a range corresponding to the updated segment data (region data after deletion of the connected region) is newly read out, and based on the read-out three-dimensional image data. Then, new 3D display image data is created in the 3D image data creation unit 252 and the updated 3D display image is displayed on the image display unit 26 based on the 3D display image data. The operator confirms the three-dimensional display image, and if the bone image is correctly deleted, the operator instructs display of the three-dimensional projection image via the input unit 29. In response to this, the 3D image data creation unit 252 creates 3D projection image data, for example, by the MIP method. Based on the 3D projection image, the 3D image data creation unit 252 creates the reference numeral 401 in FIG. As shown, a three-dimensional projection image from which the bone portion has been deleted is displayed. On the other hand, if the bone image has not been deleted correctly, the processing after step S3 is performed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the segment processing is performed only in the ROI internal region or the external region set by the operator, so that the partial 3D image data can be partially copied without being duplicated. It is possible to perform segment processing or, conversely, to perform overall segment processing excluding a part.

  As a result, for example, in a region where a blood vessel and a bone are adjacent to each other, an ROI is set in the region of the blood vessel so that segment processing is not performed in the inner region of the ROI, and the bone extraction region is sufficiently expanded. By doing so, it is possible to sufficiently delete the bone region without deleting the blood vessel region.

  In addition, by making it possible to set a plurality of ROIs, it is possible to reduce the number of operations in the bone removal process.

  Although the present invention has been described above based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and applications are naturally possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the ROI is used for designating the target or non-target of the segment processing. In addition to this, for example, the expansion amount of the extraction region is changed according to the distance from the center of the ROI. For example, it may be used for designating a processing target when performing segment processing different from other regions only in a certain part.

  In the above-described embodiment, segment processing is performed as dilation processing (dilate), contraction processing (erode), and deletion processing (delete) of the extracted region. it can.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the bone removal process is performed using the SVR image displayed on the image display unit 26 is described. As the bone removal process, a three-dimensional projection image such as an MIP image is displayed on the image display unit 26. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-68467 has proposed, and the method of this embodiment can be applied to such a boning process on a three-dimensional projection image. That is, in this case, the three-dimensional display image created in step S2 of FIG. 3 is a three-dimensional projection image such as an MIP image.

  In the above-described example, the segment process in the bone removal process has been described. However, the method of the above-described embodiment can be applied to various segment processes performed in addition to the bone removal process.

  In the above-described embodiment, an X-ray CT apparatus is used as an example of the medical image diagnostic apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an MRI apparatus may be used.

  Further, the above-described embodiments include various stages of the invention, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some configuration requirements are deleted from all the configuration requirements shown in the embodiment, the above-described problem can be solved, and this configuration requirement is deleted when the above-described effects can be obtained. The configuration can also be extracted as an invention.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an X-ray CT apparatus as an example of a medical image diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the detailed structure inside a medical image processing apparatus. It is a flowchart shown about the flow of the bone removal process in the X-ray CT apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure shown about the image displayed on an image display part in the case of a water removal process.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... X-ray CT apparatus, 10 ... Gantry part, 20 ... Computer apparatus, 21 ... Pre-processing part, 22 ... Memory part, 23 ... Reconstruction part, 24 ... Memory | storage device, 25 ... Medical image processing apparatus, 26 ... Image display , 27 ... control unit, 28 ... bus, 29 ... input unit, 251 ... 3D image data management unit, 252 ... 3D image data creation unit, 253 ... connected region designation unit, 254 ... ROI setting unit, 255 ... segment Data management unit, 256... Segment region specifying unit, 257... Linked region extracting unit, 258... Segment region extracting unit, 259.

Claims (6)

Transmission data collection means for collecting transmission data of the subject;
Image reconstruction means for reconstructing three-dimensional image data from the collected transmission data;
3D display image data creating means for creating 3D display image data from the reconstructed 3D image data;
Image display means for displaying a 3D display image based on the created 3D display image data;
Connected region specifying means for specifying a start point of a connected region to be deleted in the displayed three-dimensional display image;
Connected region extracting means for extracting a region connected to the designated start point as the connected region;
A region of interest setting means for setting a region of interest in the displayed three-dimensional display image;
Update region selection means for selecting which of the connected region outside and inside the set region of interest to be updated;
Update region extraction means for extracting a region outside or inside the set region of interest according to the selection result of the update region selection means;
Processing means for updating the connected area extracted by the connected area extracting means in a region outside or inside the region of interest extracted by the update area extracting means;
A medical image diagnostic apparatus comprising:   The medical image diagnosis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the update of the connection area includes a process of expanding or contracting the extracted connection area.   The processing means sets the expansion amount when performing the expansion processing on the extracted connected region or the contraction amount when performing the contraction processing to the distance from the center of the region of interest specified by the region of interest specifying means. The medical image diagnosis apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the medical image diagnosis apparatus is set in accordance with the setting. The region of interest setting means sets an arbitrary plurality of regions in the displayed three-dimensional display image as the region of interest,
The medical image diagnosis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the update area extraction unit extracts areas outside or inside the set plurality of regions of interest. Connected area specifying means for specifying the start point of the connected area to be deleted in the three-dimensional display image displayed on the image display unit;
Connected region extracting means for extracting a region connected to the designated start point as the connected region;
A region of interest setting means for setting a region of interest in the displayed three-dimensional display image;
Update region selection means for selecting which of the connected region outside and inside the set region of interest to be updated;
Update region extraction means for extracting a region outside or inside the set region of interest according to the selection result of the update region selection means;
Processing means for updating the connected area extracted by the connected area extracting means in a region outside or inside the region of interest extracted by the update area extracting means;
A medical image processing apparatus comprising: Computer
Image reconstruction means for reconstructing three-dimensional image data from transmission data;
3D display image data creating means for creating 3D display image data from the reconstructed 3D image data;
Image display means for displaying a 3D display image based on the created 3D display image data;
Connected region specifying means for specifying a start point of a connected region to be deleted in the displayed three-dimensional display image;
Connected region extracting means for extracting a region connected to the designated start point as the connected region;
A region of interest setting means for setting a region of interest in the displayed three-dimensional display image;
Update region selection means for selecting which of the connected region outside and inside the set region of interest to be updated;
Update region extraction means for extracting a region outside or inside the set region of interest according to the selection result of the update region selection means;
Processing means for updating the connected area extracted by the connected area extracting means in a region outside or inside the region of interest extracted by the update area extracting means;
A medical image processing program characterized by being made to function.

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