Patent Publication Number: US-2022233172-A1

Title: Ultrasound diagnosis apparatus and method for generating image from volume data and displaying the same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/566,360 filed Sep. 10, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/818,470 filed Aug. 5, 2015, which claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2014-0100699, filed Aug. 5, 2014, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office. The disclosures of the above-named applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     One or more exemplary embodiments relate to an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus, and more particularly, to an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus for measuring a fetal head based on a three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound image. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses transmit ultrasound signals generated by transducers of a probe to an object and receive echo signals reflected from the object, thereby obtaining at least one image of an internal part of the object (e.g., soft tissue or blood flow). In particular, ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses are used for medical purposes including observing an internal area of an object, detecting foreign substances, and assessing injuries. Such ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses provide high stability, display images in real time, and are safe due to no radiation exposure, compared to X-ray apparatuses. Therefore, an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus is widely used together with other types of imaging diagnosis devices. 
     In prenatal ultrasound, an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus produces an ultrasound image of a fetus by transmitting ultrasound signals to an object and receiving ultrasound echo signals reflected from the object. In addition, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus may diagnose a disease in the fetus by measuring the head size of the fetus, and in particular, head circumference (HC), biparietal diameter (BPD), and occipitofrontal diameter (OFD). 
     Conventionally, to measure a fetus&#39;s head size, a two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound image of a cross-sectional plane from which biometric parameters for a fetal head such as HC and BPD are to be measured are obtained by performing a plurality of scans of the fetus. Thus, according to the conventional measuring method, an ultrasound scan needs to be repeated until an ultrasound image of a desired cross-sectional plane is acquired, and thus, it takes a long time to measure a the size of the head of a fetus. Furthermore, since the accuracy of a cross-sectional plane to be acquired may vary depending on the skill level of a medical practitioner who performs an ultrasound scan, it is difficult to accurately measure fetal HC, OFD, and BPD. 
     SUMMARY 
     One or more exemplary embodiments include an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus configured to automatically acquire a measurement plane where biometric parameters are to be measured. 
     One or more exemplary embodiments include an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus configured to allow a user to easily and quickly measure biometric parameters. 
     Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the presented exemplary embodiments. 
     According to one or more exemplary embodiments, an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes: a data acquisition unit configured to acquire volume data for a head of an object; an image processor configured to detect a mid-sagittal plane (MSP) from the volume data, generate an MSP image corresponding to the MSP, detect at least one measurement plane based on the MSP, and generate at least one measurement plane image corresponding to the at least one measurement plane; and a display configured to display the MSP image and the at least one measurement plane image on a single screen. 
     The image processor may acquire a measured value by measuring at least one biometric parameter in the at least one measurement plane image and indicate the measured value on at least one of the at least one measurement plane image and the MSP image. 
     The position of the at least one measurement plane may be indicated by at least one line on the MSP image. 
     The at least one line may be indicated in different colors. 
     The image processor may indicate the measured value on at least one of the at least one measurement plane image and the MSP image by using at least one of a marker and a text. 
     The display may display on the single screen at least one selected from the measured value, a position of the at least one biometric parameter, a statistical value of a fetal gestational age (number of weeks of pregnancy), and a statistical graph. 
     The display may display the MSP image and the at least one measurement plane image in a 2×2 layout. 
     The display may display the MSP image and the at least one measurement plane image in a 2×1 layout. 
     The image processor may indicate a contour of the at least one measurement plane image in the same color as a line corresponding to the at least one measurement plane indicated on the MSP image. 
     The image processor may indicate a name of the at least one measurement plane on the at least one measurement plane image in the same color as a line corresponding to the at least one measurement plane indicated on the MSP image. 
     The at least one biometric parameter may include head circumference (HC), biparietal diameter (BPD), occipital frontal diameter (OFD), transverse cerebellar diameter (TCD), cisterna magna (CM), and posterior ventricle (Vp). 
     The image processor may extract a falx from the volume data based on user input information and detects the MSP by using the falx or automatically detect the MSP by using a machine learning technique. 
     The at least one measurement plane may include at least one selected from a transthalamic plane (TTP), a transventricular plane (TVP), or a transcerebella plane (TCP). 
     The image processor may determine one of a plurality of candidate planes that are perpendicular to the MSP as the TTP, based on a brightness value of a predetermined region. 
     The image processor may determine one of a plurality of candidate planes that are perpendicular to the MSP and horizontal to the TTP as the TVP, based on a gradient magnitude of a predetermined region. 
     The image processor may detect a cavum septi pellucidi (CSP) that is a predetermined distance from a central point of the head towards an anterior part of the head in the TTP and determine, as the TCP, one of a plurality of candidate planes obtained by rotating the  11 P around the CSP as a central axis, based on similarity of a predetermined pattern in a predetermined region. 
     The image processor may measure the at least one biometric parameter by using at least one of an image processing technique and a machine learning classifier. 
     The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus may further include a user interface configured to receive a request to change a measurement plane. 
     The image processor may change at least one of a measurement plane image and the at least one line in response to the request and changes a measured value based on the changed measurement plane image. 
     The user interface may output a menu via which at least one of rotation, movement, and scaling of the at least one line is performed. 
     When the image processor receives a request to change the at least one measurement plane, the image processor may change the measured value by remeasuring the at least one biometric parameter in response to the request. 
     When the image processor receives information of selection of a line from among at least one line on the MSP image from the user, the image processor may highlight the measurement plane image corresponding to the selected line. 
     When the image processor receives information of selection of one measurement plane image from among the at least one measurement plane image from the user, the image processor may highlight a line among the at least one line corresponding to the measurement plane. 
     According to the one or more exemplary embodiments, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus enables quicker and easier diagnosis of abnormality of a fetal brain based on three-dimensional (3D) volume data. Furthermore, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus allows the user to select a desired measurement plane and identify a position of biometric parameters. In addition, inter-observer variance and intra-observer variance in the measurement of an object may be reduced. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a wireless probe according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a conceptual diagram illustrating biometric parameters; 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram of an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram of an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a conceptual diagram illustrating measurement planes; 
         FIG. 7  is an exemplary diagram of a screen according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is an exemplary diagram of a screen according to another exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is an exemplary diagram of a screen according to another exemplary embodiment; and 
         FIG. 10  is a diagram for explaining a protocol for diagnosing fetal brain abnormalities by using volume data, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. In this regard, the present exemplary embodiments may have different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the descriptions set forth herein. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments are merely described below, by referring to the figures, to explain aspects of the present description. Expressions such as “at least one of,” when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list. 
     The terms used in this specification are those general terms currently widely used in the art in consideration of functions regarding the inventive concept, but the terms may vary according to the intention of those of ordinary skill in the art, precedents, or new technology in the art. Also, some terms may be arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in this case, the meaning of the selected terms will be described in detail in the detailed description of the invention. Thus, the terms used herein should be defined not as simple names thereof but based on their meaning and the overall description of the inventive concept. 
     When a part “includes” or “comprises” an element, unless there is a particular description contrary thereto, the part can further include other elements, not excluding the other elements. In addition, terms such as “ . . . unit”, “ . . . module”, or the like refer to units that perform at least one function or operation, and the units may be implemented as hardware or software or as a combination of hardware and software. 
     Throughout the specification, an “ultrasound image” refers to an image of an object, which is obtained using ultrasound waves. Furthermore, an “object” may be a human, an animal, or a part of a human or animal. For example, the object may be an organ (e.g., the liver, the heart, the womb, the brain, a breast, or the abdomen), a blood vessel, or a combination thereof. Also, the object may be a phantom. The phantom means a material having a density, an effective atomic number, and a volume that are approximately the same as those of an organism. 
     Throughout the specification, a “user” may be, but is not limited to, a medical expert, for example, a medical doctor, a nurse, a medical laboratory technologist, or a medical imaging expert, or a technician who repairs medical apparatuses. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an overall configuration of an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus  100  according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus  100  may include a probe  2 , an ultrasound transceiver  10 , an image processor  20 , a communication module  30 , a memory  40 , an input device  50 , and a controller  60 , which may be connected to one another via buses  70 . 
     The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus  100  may be a cart type apparatus or a portable type apparatus. Examples of portable ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses may include, but are not limited to, a picture archiving and communication system (PACS) viewer, a smartphone, a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), and a tablet PC. 
     The probe  2  transmits ultrasound waves to an object  1  in response to a driving signal applied by the ultrasound transceiver  10  and receives echo signals reflected by the object  1 . The probe  2  includes a plurality of transducers, and the plurality of transducers oscillate in response to electric signals and generate acoustic energy, that is, ultrasound waves. Furthermore, the probe  2  may be connected to the main body of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus  100  by wire or wirelessly, and according to embodiments, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus  100  may include a plurality of probes  2 . 
     A transmitter  11  supplies a driving signal to the probe  2 . The transmitter  110  includes a pulse generator  17 , a transmission delaying unit  18 , and a pulser  19 . The pulse generator  17  generates pulses for forming transmission ultrasound waves based on a predetermined pulse repetition frequency (PRF), and the transmission delaying unit  18  delays the pulses by delay times necessary for determining transmission directionality. The pulses which have been delayed correspond to a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators included in the probe  2 , respectively. The pulser  19  applies a driving signal (or a driving pulse) to the probe  2  based on timing corresponding to each of the pulses which have been delayed. 
     A receiver  12  generates ultrasound data by processing echo signals received from the probe  2 . The receiver  120  may include an amplifier  13 , an analog-to-digital converter (ADC)  14 , a reception delaying unit  15 , and a summing unit  16 . The amplifier  13  amplifies echo signals in each channel, and the ADC  14  performs analog-to-digital conversion with respect to the amplified echo signals. The reception delaying unit  15  delays digital echo signals output by the ADC  124  by delay times necessary for determining reception directionality, and the summing unit  16  generates ultrasound data by summing the echo signals processed by the reception delaying unit  15 . In some embodiments, the receiver  12  may not include the amplifier  13 . In other words, if the sensitivity of the probe  2  or the capability of the ADC  14  to process bits is enhanced, the amplifier  13  may be omitted. 
     The image processor  20  generates an ultrasound image by scan-converting ultrasound data generated by the ultrasound transceiver  10  and displays the ultrasound image. The ultrasound image may be not only a grayscale ultrasound image obtained by scanning an object in an amplitude (A) mode, a brightness (B) mode, and a motion (M) mode, but also a Doppler image showing a movement of an object via a Doppler effect. The Doppler image may be a blood flow Doppler image showing flow of blood (also referred to as a color Doppler image), a tissue Doppler image showing a movement of tissue, or a spectral Doppler image showing a moving speed of an object as a waveform. 
     A B mode processor  22  extracts B mode components from ultrasound data and processes the B mode components. An image generator  24  may generate an ultrasound image indicating signal intensities as brightness based on the extracted B mode components  22 . 
     Similarly, a Doppler processor  23  may extract Doppler components from ultrasound data, and the image generator  24  may generate a Doppler image indicating a movement of an object as colors or waveforms based on the extracted Doppler components. 
     According to an embodiment, the image generator  24  may generate a three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound image via volume-rendering with respect to volume data and may also generate an elasticity image by imaging deformation of the object  1  due to pressure. Furthermore, the image generator  24  may display various pieces of additional information in an ultrasound image by using text and graphics. In addition, the generated ultrasound image may be stored in the memory  40 . 
     A display  25  displays the generated ultrasound image. The display  25  may display not only an ultrasound image, but also various pieces of information processed by the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus  100  on a screen image via a graphical user interface (GUI). In addition, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus  100  may include two or more displays  25  according to embodiments. 
     The communication module  30  is connected to a network  3  by wire or wirelessly to communicate with an external device or a server. The communication module  30  may exchange data with a hospital server or another medical apparatus in a hospital, which is connected thereto via a PACS. Furthermore, the communication module  300  may perform data communication according to the digital imaging and communications in medicine (DICOM) standard. 
     The communication module  30  may transmit or receive data related to diagnosis of an object, e.g., an ultrasound image, ultrasound data, and Doppler data of the object, via the network  3  and may also transmit or receive medical images captured by another medical apparatus, e.g., a computed tomography (CT) apparatus, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus, or an X-ray apparatus. Furthermore, the communication module  30  may receive information about a diagnosis history or medical treatment schedule of a patient from a server and utilizes the received information to diagnose the patient. Furthermore, the communication module  30  may perform data communication not only with a server or a medical apparatus in a hospital, but also with a portable terminal of a medical doctor or patient. 
     The communication module  30  is connected to the network  3  by wire or wirelessly to exchange data with a server  35 , a medical apparatus  34 , or a portable terminal  36 . The communication module  300  may include one or more components for communication with external devices. For example, the communication module  1300  may include a local area communication module  31 , a wired communication module  32 , and a mobile communication module  33 . 
     The local area communication module  31  refers to a module for local area communication within a predetermined distance. Examples of local area communication techniques according to an embodiment may include, but are not limited to, wireless LAN, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wi-Fi Direct (WFD), ultra wideband (UWB), infrared data association (IrDA), Bluetooth low energy (BLE), and near field communication (NFC). 
     The wired communication module  32  refers to a module for communication using electric signals or optical signals. Examples of wired communication techniques according to an embodiment may include communication via a twisted pair cable, a coaxial cable, an optical fiber cable, and an Ethernet cable. 
     The mobile communication module  33  transmits or receives wireless signals to or from at least one selected from a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network. The wireless signals may be voice call signals, video call signals, or various types of data for transmission and reception of text/multimedia messages. 
     The memory  40  stores various data processed by the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus  100 . For example, the memory  40  may store medical data related to diagnosis of an object, such as ultrasound data and an ultrasound image that are input or output, and may also store algorithms or programs which are to be executed in the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus  100 . 
     The memory  40  may be any of various storage media, e.g., a flash memory, a hard disk drive, EEPROM, etc. Furthermore, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus  100  may utilize web storage or a cloud server that performs the storage function of the memory  40  online. 
     The input device  50  refers to a means via which a user inputs data for controlling the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus  100 . The input device  50  may include hardware components, such as a keypad, a mouse, a touch panel, a touch screen, and a jog switch. However, embodiments are not limited thereto, and the input device  50  may further include any of various other input units including an electrocardiogram (ECG) measuring module, a respiration measuring module, a voice recognition sensor, a gesture recognition sensor, a fingerprint recognition sensor, an iris recognition sensor, a depth sensor, a distance sensor, etc. 
     The controller  60  may control all operations of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus  100 . In other words, the controller  60  may control operations among the probe  2 , the ultrasound transceiver  10 , the image processor  20 , the communication module  30 , the memory  40 , and the input device  50  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     All or some of the probe  2 , the ultrasound transceiver  10 , the image processor  20 , the communication module  30 , the memory  40 , the input device  50 , and the controller  60  may be implemented as software modules. However, embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto, and some of the components stated above may be implemented as hardware modules. Furthermore, at least one selected from the ultrasound transceiver  10 , the image processor  20 , and the communication module  30  may be included in the controller  60 . However, embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto. 
     For diagnosis of disease using an ultrasound image, a marker may be set for setting a target region in an ultrasound image including an object or for indicating a predetermined position therein. 
     In detail, the marker may be set at a region that is to be observed in detail by the user to diagnose a disease or to check the health status of a patient. The present invention provides an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus and a method of displaying an ultrasound image, which are capable of changing and outputting an ultrasound image to more accurately diagnose a region of an object where the marker is set. 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing a configuration of a wireless probe  2000  according to an embodiment of the present invention. As described above with reference to  FIG. 1 , the wireless probe  2000  may include a plurality of transducers, and, according to embodiments of the present invention, may include some or all of the components of the ultrasound transceiver  100  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     The wireless probe  2000  according to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2  includes a transmitter  2100 , a transducer  2200 , and a receiver  2300 . Since descriptions thereof are given above with reference to  FIG. 1 , detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted here. In addition, according to embodiments of the present invention, the wireless probe  2000  may selectively include a reception delaying unit  2330  and a summing unit  2340 . 
     The wireless probe  2000  may transmit ultrasound signals to the object  10 , receive echo signals from the object  10 , generate ultrasound data, and wirelessly transmit the ultrasound data to the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus  1000  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus  100  may acquire an ultrasound image and measure various biometric parameters which can be used to determine a state of an object based on the acquired ultrasound image. Biometric parameters will now be described in detail with reference to  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 3  is a conceptual diagram illustrating biometric parameters. 
     It is hereinafter assumed that an object is a fetus. If the object is fetus, biometric parameters may include head circumference (HC), biparietal diameter (BPD), Occipital frontal diameter (OFD), transverse cerebellar diameter (TCD), cisterna magna (CM), and posterior ventricle (Vp). 
     A transthalamic plane (TTP), a transventricular plane (TVP), a transcerebellar plane (TCP), etc. may be used as standard planes for measuring biometric parameters. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a TTP  310 , a TCP  320 , and a TVP  330 . Predefined measurement planes are needed to measure biometric parameters corresponding to the TTP  310 , the TCP  320 , and the TVP  330 , respectively. 
     In detail, the TTP  310  is used for measurement of HC (indicated by a dashed line around the circumference of a head), BPD  301 , and OFD  302 . The TCP  320  is needed for measurement of TCD  321  and CM  322 , and the TVP  330  enables measurement of Vp  331 . 
     Selection of measurement planes is a critical task for accurate measurement of biometric parameters. In a conventional measuring method, since each measurement is performed on a new plane, ranges of inter-observer variance and intra-observer variance in the measurement of an object are wide. This results in a large error range in acquiring a measurement plane, thus making it difficult to acquire an accurate measurement plane. 
     To solve these problems, an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment is configured to automatically acquire a measurement plane and display the measurement plane on a screen together with various pieces of information (e.g., position information of the measurement plane, measured values of biometric parameters, etc.) as described below. This configuration may facilitate review and modification and increase accuracy in acquiring a measurement plane by minimizing ranges of inter-observer variance and intra-observer variance. The operation of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment will now be described in more detail with reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram of an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus  400  according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus  400  according to the present exemplary embodiment may be included in the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus  100  described with reference to  FIG. 1 . In detail, a data acquisition unit  410 , a controller  420 , and a display  430  may correspond respectively to a data processor  21 , the image generator  24 , and the display  25  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     Furthermore, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus  400  may correspond to the medical apparatus  34  or the portable terminal  36  and may receive ultrasound data acquired by the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus  100  via a network  3  for use. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus  400  may include the acquisition unit  410 , the image processor  420 , and the display  430 . 
     The data acquisition unit  410  acquires volume data for a head of an object. In this case, the volume data may be 3D volume data of the object generated using ultrasound signals received via the probe. Furthermore, a 3D ultrasound image of the object may be generated using 3D volume data. A user may designate an ultrasound scanning range so as to include all biometric parameters. 
     The data acquisition unit  410  may acquire an axial plane of a fetal head as an initial plane and 3D volume data based on the acquired axial plane of the fetal head. In detail, the user may first designate an initial plane via the probe. In this case, the axial plane of the fetal head geometrically approximates at least one of a TTP, a TCP, and a TVP and may be arbitrarily selected by the user. 
     Then, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus  400  may perform a two-dimensional (2D) scan on the designated initial plane for visualization. The user may check the fetal head in the initial plane via a screen and input a center of the fetal head and a direction of a fetal face, and in particular, an anterior direction thereof in the initial plane as a user input. 
     When the user inputs a scan command, a 3D ultrasound scan apparatus may perform a 3D ultrasound scan on the fetal head based on a user input and an initial plane, according to the user&#39;s scan command Through the above process, the data acquisition unit  410  may acquire 3D volume data for the fetal head. 
     The image processor  420  detects a mid-sagittal plane (MSP) from volume data to generate an MSP image corresponding to the MSP and then detects at least one measurement plane based on the MSP to generate at least one measurement plane image corresponding to the at least one measurement plane. 
     In detail, the image processor  420  may detect an MSP by extracting a falx cerebri from volume data based on the user input information. Furthermore, the image processor  420  may detect an MSP automatically by using symmetry information acquired from the volume data of an object. 
     In this case, a measurement plane is a plane in an object used that enables measurement of biometric parameters and may include a TTP, a TVP, a TCP, etc. 
     In other words, the image processor  420  may detect an MSP and then a TTP, a TVP, and a TCP based on the MSP. A method of detecting these measurement planes will be described in more detail below with reference to  FIG. 6 . 
     Furthermore, a user input may be a name of a plane that is to be detected. If the user enters a name of a desired plane, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus  400  may display the desired plane on the screen as a measurement plane image. For example, if the user enters a TTP and a MSP, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus  400  may display MSP and TTP images via a screen having a 2×1 layout. 
     Furthermore, the image processor  420  may indicate a position of at least one measurement plane on an MSP image. For example, the position of the at least one measurement plane may be indicated by a line or color. The line or color may accurately indicate which position of an MSP corresponds to the at least one measurement plane. 
     In this case, if a plurality of lines exists, the plurality of lines may be indicated in different colors. Furthermore, each of the plurality of lines may be indicated in the same color as a contour of its corresponding measurement plane image. 
     Furthermore, the image processor  420  may display a name of a measurement plane indicated on a measurement plane image in the same color as a line corresponding to the measurement plane on an MSP image. 
     The image processor  420  may also obtain a measured value by measuring a biometric parameter in at least one measurement plane image and display the measured value in at least one measurement plane image and an MSP image, as described in more detail below with reference to  FIGS. 7 through 9 . 
     In this case, the image processor  420  may measure a biometric parameter by using at least one of an image processing technique and a machine learning classifier. Since various techniques for measuring biometric parameters in a measurement plane are well known in the art, detailed descriptions thereof are omitted. In this case, machine learning is a field of artificial intelligence including algorithms that enable a computer to learn from a large amount of data. For example, machine learning algorithms may teach a computer to automatically find biometric parameters by using a large number of images with biometric parameters indicated thereon and automatically detect the biometric parameters via the taught computer to measure the biometric parameters. 
     Furthermore, the image processor  420  may indicate a measured value on at least one of a measurement plane image and an MSP image by using at least one of a marker and a text. For example, the image processor  420  may indicate a position of a biometric parameter on a measurement plane image by using a marker and a measured value on or near a measurement plane image as a text. In this case, the image processor  420  may indicate a marker and a text corresponding to one biometric parameter in a different color than that in which a marker and a text corresponding to another biometric parameter are indicated in order to distinguish the biometric parameters from each other. 
     Furthermore, the image processor  420  may extract a falx from volume data by using user input information and detect an MSP by using the flax. Alternatively, the image processor  420  may automatically detect an MSP by using a machine learning technique. Since various techniques for automatically detecting an MSP are well known in the art, detailed descriptions thereof are omitted. 
     The display  430  may display an MSP image and at least one measurement plane image on a single screen. For example, the display  430  may display a plurality of ultrasound images in various layouts. In detail, the display  430  may display MSP, TTP, TVP, and TCP images in a 2×2 layout on a single screen. Alternatively, the display  430  may display an MSP image and one of TTP, TVP, and TCP images in a 2×1 or 1×2 layout on a single screen. 
     Furthermore, the display  430  may display at least one of a measured value, a position of a biometric parameter, a statistical value of the gestational age of a fetus (number of weeks of pregnancy)), and a statistical graph on a single screen. 
     Furthermore, the display  430  may combine at least one of a user input, position information of an initial plane, a result of searching for a measurement plane, a result of detection of a landmark, and a result of automatic measurement to thereby display a position (e.g., Anterior, Posterior, Inferior, Superior, Left (Lt), and Right (Rt)) of at least one anatomical landmark (e.g., Cavum Septi Pellucidi (CSP), Cerebellum, Vp, Thalami, Choroid Plexus, and Lateral Ventricle) on a screen. 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram of an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus  500  according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     A data acquisition unit  510 , an image processor  520 , and a display  530  operate in the same way as described with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
     A memory  540  stores various data processed by the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus  500 . For example, the memory  540  may store medical data related to diagnosis of an object, such as ultrasound data and an ultrasound image that are input or output, and may also store algorithms or programs which are to be executed in the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus  500 . 
     The memory  540  may be any of various storage media, e.g., a flash memory, a hard disk drive, EEPROM, etc. Furthermore, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus  500  may utilize web storage or a cloud server that performs the storage function of the memory  540  online. 
     A user interface  550  may receive a request to change a measurement plane from a user. Furthermore, the user interface  550  may receive a request to change a measured value from the user. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the user interface  550  may output a menu via which at least one of rotation, movement, and scaling of a line on an MSP image is performed. In other words, the user may change a measurement plane by rotating, moving, or scaling a line corresponding to the measurement plane on the MSP image via the user interface  550 . 
     The user interface  550  may also output a menu via which at least one of rotation, movement, and scaling of a volume in an MSP image is performed. In other words, the user may change a measurement plane by rotating, moving, and scaling a volume corresponding to the MSP image. 
     For example, if the user checks a measurement plane via the display  530  to determine that the measurement plane or a measured value is wrong, the user may change the measurement plane or measured value by controlling a line corresponding to the measurement plane on an MSP image or changing a geometry of a brain volume by ultrasound. 
     The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus  500  according to exemplary embodiments may provide a manual measurement function via the user interface  530 . 
     Once the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus  500  receives information of selection of a line from among at least one line on an MSP image from the user, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus  500  may highlight a measurement plane image corresponding to the selected line. For example, if the user selects a line corresponding to a TTP from among lines which are indicated on the MSP image and correspond to the TTP, TCP, and TVP, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus  500  may highlight a TTP image for the user to recognize the TTP image e.g., by changing a color, a saturation, and a brightness of the TTP image or changing a thickness of a line thereof. 
     Furthermore, once the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus  500  receives information of selection of a measurement plane image from among at least one measurement plane image from the user, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus  500  may highlight a line among at least one line corresponding to the measurement plane. For example, if MSP, TTP, TVP, and TCP images are displayed in a 2×2 layout, and the user selects the TTP image, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus  500  may highlight a line corresponding to the TTP on the MSP image in order for the user to recognize the line, e.g., by changing a color, a saturation, a brightness, and a thickness of the line. 
     According to exemplary embodiments, the image processor  520  may change a measured value by remeasuring a biometric parameter in response to a user request to change the measured value. For example, if the user interface  530  outputs a menu via which a request to change a measured value is performed, the user may select the request. 
     According to exemplary embodiments, the image processor  520  may change a measurement plane image and at least one line among at least one line corresponding to the measurement plane displayed on a screen in response to a request to change a measurement plane, and a measured value based on the changed measurement plane image. 
       FIG. 6  is a conceptual diagram illustrating measurement planes. 
     As described above, the image processor  520  detects an MSP from volume data and at least one measurement plane based on the detected MSP.  FIG. 6  is a detailed diagram of the MSP and the at least one measurement plane detected by the image processor  520 . 
     In detail,  FIG. 6  illustrates axial views of a fetal head, from among which measurement planes are to be selected.  610 ,  620 , and  630  respectively denote TVP, TTP, and TCP. A plurality of lines  601  through  603  are indicated in a fetal head image  600  and respectively correspond to the TVP  610 , the TTP  620 , and the TCP  630 . According to exemplary embodiments, measurement planes may be detected based on an MSP. Detection of the MSP will now be described. 
     In detail, the image processor  520  may detect a falx from 3D ultrasound volume data by using user input information. In this case, the user input information may be a center of a fetal head and a direction of a fetal face. According to exemplary embodiments, the image processor  520  may detect an MSP by using the falx. Alternatively, the image processor  520  may automatically detect an MSP by using a machine learning technique. 
     According to exemplary embodiments, a method of determining measurement planes based on a detected MSP will now be described. 
     The image processor  520  may select a plane having a highest or lowest score as each of measurement planes, from among a plurality of candidate planes that are perpendicular to an MSP. In this case, a score may represent similarity between each of the candidate planes and a measurement plane. For example, the score may be determined by a machine learning classifier, or may be a brightness value of a specific region or the total sum of gradient magnitudes. 
     For example, the image processor  520  may determine one of a plurality of candidate planes that are perpendicular to an MSP as the TTP  620  based on a brightness value of a predetermined region. In this case, the predetermined region may be an arbitrary region at the rear part of a fetal head. In other words, the image processor  520  may measure a brightness value of a posterior region of a fetal head to determine a plane having a largest brightness value as the TTP  620 . 
     Furthermore, the image processor  520  may detect a CSP that is located in a predetermined distance from a central point of a fetal head towards an anterior part thereof in the TTP  620  and determine as the TCP  630  one of a plurality of candidate planes obtained by rotating the TTP  620  around the CSP as a central axis, based on similarity of a predetermined pattern in a predetermined region. The predetermined region may be an arbitrary region including CSP, TCD, and CM. 
     The image processor  520  may also determine one of a plurality of candidate planes that are perpendicular to the MSP and horizontal to the TTP  620  as the TVP  610 , based on a gradient magnitude of a predetermined region. In this case, the predetermined region may be an arbitrary region including Vp. 
       FIG. 7  is an exemplary diagram of a screen  750  according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the screen  750  displayed on the display  530  may include a plurality of ultrasound images arranged in a predetermined layout. 
     In detail, the screen  750  shows a MSP image  700 , a TTP image  710 , a TCP image  720 , and a TVP image  730 . A plurality of lines  701  through  703  on the MSP image  700  respectively correspond to the TTP image  710 , the TCP image  720 , and the TVP image  730 . 
     As described above, an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus according to exemplary embodiments may display an MSP and measurement planes on a single screen and indicate a correlation therebetween, e.g., by displaying the measurement planes as corresponding lines on the MSP, thereby allowing the user to visually determine whether a detected measurement plane is appropriate. 
     For example, the image processor  520  may indicate a position of at least one measurement plane on an MSP image. In other words, the position of the at least one measurement plane may be indicated on the MSP image by a line or color. Referring to  FIG. 7 , the plurality of lines  701  through  703  or color may accurately indicate which positions of the MSP image  700  respectively correspond to measurement planes  710  through  730 . 
     In this case, the plurality of lines  701  through  703  may be indicated in different colors. Furthermore, the plurality of lines  701  through  730  may be indicated in the same colors as contours corresponding to the measurement plane images respectively, i.e., the TTP image  710 , the TCP image  720 , and the TVP image  730 . 
     Furthermore, the image processor  520  may display a name of a measurement plane indicated on a measurement plane image in the same color as a line corresponding to the measurement plane on an MSP image. 
     In addition, positions of biometric parameters may be displayed in the MSP and measurement planes, as described in detail with reference to  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 8  is an exemplary diagram of a screen  850  according to exemplary embodiments. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , the screen  850  shows a MSP image  800 , a TTP image  810 , a TCP image  820 , and a TVP image  830 . 
     A line  803  on the MSP image  800  corresponds to a line  803  on the TCP image  820 . Two points  805  and  806  on the MSP image  800  respectively correspond to two points  815  and  816  on the TCP image  820 . In this case, points included in a measurement plane image may be points corresponding to a biometric parameter. For example, a length of a straight line connecting the two points  815  and  816  may be a CM. 
     Furthermore, lines  801  and  802  on the MSP image  800  respectively correspond to the TTP image  810  and the TVP image  830 . 
     According to exemplary embodiments, the line  803  and its corresponding line  803  and the points  805  and  806  and their corresponding points  815  and  816  indicated on the MSP image  800  and the TCP image  820  allow the user to accurately determine a relative position between an MSP and a measurement plane. Furthermore, the user may accurately identify a position of a biometric parameter on an MSP and a measurement plane. 
       FIG. 9  is an exemplary diagram of a screen  950  according to another exemplary embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , the screen  950  shows a MSP image  900 , a TTP image  910 , a TCP image  920 , and a TVP image  930 . 
     A plurality of lines  901  through  903  on the MSP image  900  respectively correspond to the TTP image  910 , the TCP image  920 , and the TVP image  930 . 
     As seen on  FIG. 9 , a CSP line  904 , a thalamus line  905 , and CM  907  indicated on the MSP image  900  respectively correspond to CSP  904 , Thalamus  905 , and CM  907  on the TTP image  910 , the TCP image  920 , and the TVP image  930 . In this way, an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus according to exemplary embodiments may visually indicate positions of biometric parameters on measurement planes as well as on an MSP. 
     Furthermore, a measured value may be indicated in an image corresponding to each measurement plane. For example, measured values  961  of HC, BPD, and OFD may be indicated in the TTP image  910 . A measured value  971  of Vp and measured values  981  of TCD and CM may be indicated respectively on the TVP and TCP images  930  and  920 . 
     Such measured values may be indicated using at least one of marker and text. For example, positions of biometric parameters may be indicated in the measurement plane images  910 ,  920 , and  930  by using a mark  951 , and the measured values  961 ,  971 , and  981  may be respectively displayed on or near the measurement plane images  910 ,  930 , and  920  as texts, etc. In this case, a marker and a text corresponding to one biometric parameter may be indicated in a different color than that in which a marker and a text corresponding to another biometric parameter are indicated in order to distinguish the biometric parameters from each other. The marker may be indicated by a sign + as shown in  FIG. 9 , but is not limited thereto. The marker may be indicated by another sign or color. 
     As described above, according to the exemplary embodiments, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus  400  ( 500 ) may display a line corresponding to a measurement plane on an MSP image, thereby allow the user to simultaneously identify a position of the measurement plane, a position of a biometric parameter, and a measured value. This may help the user to determine the reliability of a result obtained by using an automatic measurement function. 
       FIG. 10  is a diagram for explaining a protocol for diagnosing fetal brain abnormalities by using volume data, according to exemplary embodiments. 
     The left side of  FIG. 10  shows operations of the protocol according to the exemplary embodiments, and the right side shows screens, which are provided to a user, corresponding to the operations. 
     In operation  1020 , the user sets an initial view (plane). In detail, the user may set an initial view that is similar to MPS, TTP, TVP, and TCP. The set initial view is displayed on a screen  1020  provided to the user. 
     In operation  1030 , the user inputs a seed, and in particular, a central point of a fetal head and direction information of a fetus. In general, midpoints of thalami and an anterior direction of a fetus may respectively be designated as a central point of a fetal head and direction information of the fetus. A screen  1030 , which is provided to the user, shows the central point of the fetal head and the direction information of the fetus which are indicated as a marker and a line, respectively. 
     In operation  1040 , the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus  400  ( 500 ) extracts an MSP based on the seed input by the user. The extracted MSP is displayed on a screen  1040  provided to the user. 
     In operation  1050 , the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus  400  performs image processing to extract TTP, TVP, and TCP. Since a process of extracting the measurement planes TTP, TVP, and TCP is described above with reference to  FIG. 5 , a detailed description thereof is omitted. The extracted MSP, TTP, TVP, and TCP are displayed on a screen  1050  having a 2×2 layout. 
     In operation  1060 , the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus  400  may measure biometric parameters for each of the measurement planes TTP, TVP, and TCP as well as landmarks and direction information. Values of the biometric parameters, the landmarks, and the direction information may be indicated in the measurement planes TTP, TVP, and TCP and is then displayed on a screen  1060   
     In operation  1070 , the user performs measurement of a fetal brain and diagnoses abnormality thereof based on the screens  1020 ,  1030 ,  1040 ,  1050 , and  1060  on the right side of  FIG. 10 . 
     As described above, an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus  400  according to exemplary embodiments enables quicker and easier diagnosis of abnormality of a fetal brain based on volume data. Furthermore, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus  400  allows the user to measure a desired position and check and modify the measured position. In addition, inter-observer variance and intra-observer variance in the measurement of a fetal brain may be reduced. 
     It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventive concept as defined by the following claims Thus, it should be understood that the exemplary embodiments described therein should be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. The scope of the inventive concept is defined not by the detailed description thereof but by the appended claims, and all differences within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents will be construed as being included in the present inventive concept.