Image reproduction apparatus and program therefor

Abstract

A medical image is reproduced after being subjected to image processing appropriate for conversion into an image suitable for interpreting. Selection of a imaging menu item from a imaging menu being displayed is accepted, and the medical image is reproduced after being subjected to the image processing for converting the image into the image appropriate for the reproduction according to the selected imaging menu item. At this time, an index value representing an anatomical characteristic is calculated from the medical image, and the most appropriate imaging menu item to be selected from imaging menu items is judged based on the index value.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a medical system;

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of an image reproduction apparatus;

FIG. 3 shows an example of imaging menus;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing procedures carried out in the image reproduction apparatus (part 1); and

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing procedures carried out in the image reproduction apparatus (part 2).

Claims

1. An image reproduction apparatus having medical image input means for inputting a medical image obtained by imaging of a subject, imaging menu display means for displaying a imaging menu including exclusively selectable imaging menu items regarding imaging information of the medical image, imaging menu acceptance means for accepting selection of the imaging menu items from the displayed imaging menu, image processing means for carrying out image processing on the medical image in order to convert the medical image into an image appropriate for reproduction according to the selected imaging menu item accepted by the imaging menu acceptance means, and reproduction means for reproducing the medical image having been subjected to the image processing, the image reproduction apparatus comprising: index value calculation means for calculating an index value representing an anatomical characteristic from the medical image; andjudgment means for judging the most appropriate imaging menu item to be selected from the imaging menu items, based on the calculated index value.

2. The image reproduction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging menu acceptance means accepts from predetermined input means the selection of the imaging menu items in the imaging menu being displayed, andthe image reproduction apparatus further comprises warning means for carrying out warning in the case where the selected imaging menu item is not the most appropriate imaging menu item having been judged.

3. The image reproduction apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the imaging menu acceptance means accepts the most appropriate imaging menu item as the selected imaging menu item.

4. The image reproduction apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the image processing is density adjustment processing.

5. The image reproduction apparatus according to claim 1wherein the image processing is frequency enhancement processing.

6. The image reproduction apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the medical image is a chest radiograph and the index value is a size of the thoracic region of the imaged subject.

7. The image reproduction apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the medical image is a chest radiograph and the index value is a size of the thoracic region of the imaged subject.

8. The image reproduction apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the medical image is a chest radiograph and the index value is a size of the thoracic region of the imaged subject.

9. The image reproduction apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the medical image is a chest radiograph and the index value is a thickness of a rib of the imaged subject.

10. The image reproduction apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the medical image is a chest radiograph and the index value is a thickness of a rib of the imaged subject.

11. The image reproduction apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the medical image is a chest radiograph and the index value is a thickness of a rib of the imaged subject.

12. A program for causing a computer to function as medical image input means for inputting a medical image obtained by imaging of a subject, imaging menu display means for displaying a imaging menu including exclusively selectable imaging menu items regarding imaging information of the medical image, imaging menu acceptance means for accepting selection of the imaging menu items from the displayed imaging menu, image processing means for carrying out image processing on the medical image in order to convert the medical image into an image appropriate for reproduction according to the selected imaging menu item accepted by the imaging menu acceptance means, and reproduction means for reproducing the medical image having been subjected to the image processing, the program further comprising the procedures that cause the computer to function as: index value calculation means for calculating an index value representing an anatomical characteristic from the medical image; andjudgment means for judging the most appropriate imaging menu item to be selected from the imaging menu items, based on the calculated index value.