IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD AND APPARATUS

• US 20080015902A1
• Filed: 07/10/2007
• Published: 01/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Tsujii, Osamu
• Granted Patent: US 7,957,571 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/3
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/40 for processing medical images, e.g. editing
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 70/60 relating to pathologies

Abstract

In step S1, image data obtained by imaging is input to an image input unit (1). In step S2, the diagnosis result obtained by a doctor using the image data obtained by imaging is input as diagnosis information to a diagnosis information input unit (2). In step S3, a keyword table (7) is searched for a keyword input to the diagnosis information input unit (2) or a diagnosis information analyzing unit (3). In step S4, a parameter determining unit (5) selects an initial value parameter used in an image search unit (4) from an initial value table (8) on the basis of the input keyword. In steps S5 and S6, the image search unit (4) determines the optimization degree of the selected parameter by applying the parameter to the input image on the basis of the area or connectivity of a morbid region, and also extracts a morbid region by using a general computer aided diagnosis technique.

Claims

1. An image processing apparatus comprising:

an obtaining unit which obtains a plurality of medical images obtained by imaging;

an input unit which inputs a text;

a search unit which searches the medical images for a morbid region; and

a selecting unit which selects a medical image including the found morbid region from the plurality of medical images,

wherein said search unit changes an algorithm for searching the morbid region on the basis of the text input by said input unit.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a keyword obtaining unit which obtains a keyword for analysis of the text input by said input unit,

Wherein said search unit changes the algorithm for searching the morbid region on the basis of the keyword.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of each CT value/MRI value range for a medical image, each CT value/MRI value range which designates a lesion, and a slice position is changed as a parameter of the algorithm.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a table in which the keyword and the parameter are associated.

wherein the parameter is obtained from the table in which the parameter is associated with the keyword obtained from the keyword obtaining unit.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a reporting system unit which outputs the image selected by said selecting unit with the image being attached to a diagnosis information.

6. An image processing method comprising:

an obtaining step of obtaining a plurality of medical images obtained by imaging;

an input step of inputting a text;

a search step of searching the medical images for a morbid region; and

a selecting step of selecting a medical image including the found morbid region from the plurality of medical images,

wherein in said search step, an algorithm for searching the morbid region is changed on the basis of the text input by said input step.

7. A program comprising:

a code for an obtaining step of obtaining a plurality of medical images obtained by imaging;

a code for an input step of inputting a text;

a code for a search step of searching the medical images for a morbid region; and

a code for a selecting step of selecting a medical image including the found morbid region from the plurality of medical images,

wherein in said search step, an algorithm for searching the morbid region is changed on the basis of the text input by said input step.