Patent Description:
Due to their non-invasive and non-destructive characteristics, ultrasound systems have become widely used in medical fields to acquire information about the inside of an object. The ultrasound systems also play a critical role in medical diagnosis because they can provide medical doctors with high-resolution images of an inner area of an object in real-time without the need for performing a surgical procedure to directly incise the object for observation.

An ultrasound system transmits ultrasound signals to an object, receives ultrasound signals (i.e., ultrasound echo signals) reflected from the object, and generates a two- or three-dimensional (2D or 3D) ultrasound image based on the received ultrasound echo signals.

The risk of cardiac malformations in a fetus may be determined based on a position of a fetal heart. For example, when a fetus's heart is normally positioned, the risk of cardiac malformations in the fetus is about <NUM> %. On the other hand, when the fetus's heart is located on the right side of the chest, i.e., the fetus has dextrocardia, the risk of cardiac malformations has been reported to be about <NUM>% or higher. Thus, it is important to accurately determine a position of the fetus's heart to predict the risk of cardiac malformations. However, because the fetus is able to move freely in the womb, even an experienced user may have difficulties in accurately recognizing an orientation of the fetus from an ultrasound cross-sectional image. Thus, an error may occur when predicting the risk of cardiac malformations based on a position of the heart.

<CIT> discloses a method for processing a 3D fetal ultrasound image. A 3D fetal ultrasound image is obtained (either acquired or received from memory), and the spine is detected within the image. This enables a first reference axis to be defined. A second reference axis is defined perpendicular to the first reference axis, and the 3D fetal ultrasound image is updated (e.g., rotated in 3D space) using the first and second reference axes and an up/down (elevation) orientation detection.

<CIT> discloses a method of judging the positive and reverse positions of fetal viscera. The method comprises the following steps that firstly the indicator direction of an ultrasonic probe is adjusted, and so as to be in line with the direction of an ultrasonic icon; transverse section images of fetal abdomen are obtained through ultrasound scanning; the fetal spine in the image is located at <NUM> on a clock, when the stomach bubble is located at <NUM> on the clock, if the fetus is in the breech position then the visceral is positive position, otherwise the viscera is reverse position; when the gastric vesicle is located at <NUM> on the clock, if the fetus is head position then the visceral is positive position, otherwise the viscera is reverse position.

A method of displaying an ultrasound image is defined according to claim <NUM> and the corresponding apparatus for displaying an ultrasound image is defined by claim <NUM>.

Provided are methods and apparatuses for displaying an image representing an orientation of a fetus within a pregnant woman's body together with an ultrasound image to accurately determine a position of an internal organ of the fetus.

In accordance with an aspect, a method of displaying an ultrasound image includes: displaying on a display a marker indicating an orientation of a probe for scanning a pregnant woman's body; determining a direction of a fetus's head based on a first ultrasound image obtained by scanning the pregnant woman's body in a first direction using the probe while a further marker attached to the probe is positioned in the orientation indicated by the marker displayed on the display; determining a direction of a fetus's spine based on a second ultrasound image obtained by scanning the pregnant woman's body in a second direction using the probe; determining an orientation of the fetus within the pregnant woman's body based on the directions of the fetus's head and the fetus's spine; and displaying an image representing the orientation of the fetus, together with an ultrasound image obtained by scanning the pregnant woman's body. The ultrasound image is an ultrasound image obtained by scanning the pregnant woman's body in the second direction, and the image representing the orientation of the fetus comprises at least one of an image having indicated thereon at least one of the left and right sides of the fetus in the ultrasound image, an image showing a cross-section and the left and right sides of the fetus in the ultrasound image, and a mimic image showing the fetus three-dimensionally based on the orientation of the fetus.

In accordance with another aspect, an apparatus for displaying an ultrasound image includes: a display configured to display a marker indicating an orientation of a probe for scanning a pregnant woman's body; and at least one processor configured to determine a direction of a fetus's head based on a first ultrasound image obtained by scanning the pregnant woman's body in a first direction using the probe while a further marker attached to the probe is positioned in the orientation indicated by the marker displayed on the display, determine a direction of a fetus's spine based on a second ultrasound image obtained by scanning the pregnant woman's body in a second direction using the probe, and determine an orientation of the fetus within the pregnant woman's body based on the directions of the fetus's head and the fetus's spine. The display is further configured to display an image representing the orientation of the fetus, together with an ultrasound image obtained by scanning the pregnant woman's body. The ultrasound image is an ultrasound image obtained by scanning the pregnant woman's body in the second direction, and the image representing the orientation of the fetus comprises at least one of an image having indicated thereon at least one of the left and right sides of the fetus in the ultrasound image, an image showing a cross-section and the left and right sides of the fetus in the ultrasound image, and a mimic image showing the fetus three-dimensionally based on the orientation of the fetus.

In accordance with another aspect, a computer program product includes at least one computer-readable recording medium having stored therein a program for performing the method of displaying an ultrasound image.

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain embodiments of the invention will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:.

Certain embodiments are described in greater detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the following description, the same drawing reference numerals are used for the same elements even in different drawings. The matters defined in the description, such as detailed construction and elements, are provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments. Thus, it is apparent that exemplary embodiments can be carried out without those specifically defined matters. Also, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure exemplary embodiments with unnecessary detail.

Terms such as "part" and "portion" used herein denote those that may be embodied by software or hardware. According to exemplary embodiments, a plurality of parts or portions may be embodied by a single unit or element, or a single part or portion may include a plurality of elements.

In the embodiments of the disclosure, an image may include any medical image acquired by various medical imaging apparatuses such as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus, a computed tomography (CT) apparatus, an ultrasound imaging apparatus, or an X-ray apparatus.

Also, in the present specification, an "object", which is a thing to be imaged, may include a human, an animal, or a part thereof. For example, an object may include a part of a human, that is, an organ or a tissue, or a phantom. While descriptions are provided below with respect to an example in which an image captured of a pregnant woman's body and a fetus therein as an object is displayed, the disclosure may be applied to display captured images of various objects.

Throughout the specification, an ultrasound image refers to an image of an object processed based on ultrasound signals transmitted to the object and reflected therefrom. An ultrasound image may be a two- or three-dimensional (2D or 3D) image.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus <NUM>, i.e., a diagnostic apparatus, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus <NUM> may include a probe <NUM>, an ultrasound transceiver <NUM>, a controller <NUM>, an image processor <NUM>, one or more displays <NUM>, a storage <NUM>, e.g., a memory, a communicator <NUM>, i.e., a communication device or an interface, and an input interface <NUM>.

The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus <NUM> may be of a cart-type or a portable-type ultrasound diagnosis apparatus, which is portable, moveable, mobile, or hand-held. Examples of the portable-type ultrasound diagnosis apparatus may include a smart phone, a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), and a tablet personal computer (PC), each of which may include a probe and a software application, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

The probe <NUM> may include a plurality of transducers. The plurality of transducers may transmit ultrasound signals to an object <NUM> in response to transmitting signals received by the probe <NUM>, from a transmitter <NUM>. The plurality of transducers may receive ultrasound signals reflected from the object <NUM> to generate reception signals. In addition, the probe <NUM> and the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus <NUM> may be formed in one body (e.g., disposed in a single housing), or the probe <NUM> and the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus <NUM> may be formed separately (e.g., disposed separately in separate housings) but linked wirelessly or via wires. In addition, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus <NUM> may include one or more probes <NUM> according to embodiments.

The controller <NUM> may control the transmitter <NUM> for the transmitter <NUM> to generate transmitting signals to be applied to each of the plurality of transducers based on a position and a focal point of the plurality of transducers included in the probe <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> may control the ultrasound receiver <NUM> to generate ultrasound data by converting reception signals received from the probe <NUM> from analogue to digital signals and summing the reception signals converted into digital form, based on a position and a focal point of the plurality of transducers.

The image processor <NUM> may generate an ultrasound image by using ultrasound data generated from the ultrasound receiver <NUM>.

The display <NUM> may display a generated ultrasound image and various pieces of information processed by the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus <NUM>. The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus <NUM> may include two or more displays <NUM> according to the present exemplary embodiment. The display <NUM> may include a touch screen in combination with a touch panel.

The controller <NUM> may control the operations of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus <NUM> and flow of signals between the internal elements of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may include a memory for storing a program or data to perform functions of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus <NUM> and a processor and/or a microprocessor (not shown) for processing the program or data. For example, the controller <NUM> may control the operation of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus <NUM> by receiving a control signal from the input interface <NUM> or an external apparatus.

The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus <NUM> may include the communicator <NUM> and may be connected to external apparatuses, for example, servers, medical apparatuses, and portable devices such as smart phones, tablet personal computers (PCs), wearable devices, etc., via the communicator <NUM>.

The communicator <NUM> may include at least one element capable of communicating with the external apparatuses. For example, the communicator <NUM> may include at least one among a short-range communication module, a wired communication module, and a wireless communication module.

The communicator <NUM> may receive a control signal and data from an external apparatus and transmit the received control signal to the controller <NUM> so that the controller <NUM> may control the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus <NUM> in response to the received control signal.

The controller <NUM> may transmit a control signal to the external apparatus via the communicator <NUM> so that the external apparatus may be controlled in response to the control signal of the controller <NUM>.

For example, the external apparatus connected to the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus <NUM> may process the data of the external apparatus in response to the control signal of the controller <NUM> received via the communicator <NUM>.

A program for controlling the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus <NUM> may be installed in the external apparatus. The program may include command languages to perform part of operation of the controller <NUM> or the entire operation of the controller <NUM>.

The program may be pre-installed in the external apparatus or may be installed by a user of the external apparatus by downloading the program from a server that provides applications. The server that provides applications may include a recording medium where the program is stored.

The storage <NUM> may store various data or programs for driving and controlling the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus <NUM>, input and/or output ultrasound data, ultrasound images, applications, etc..

The input interface <NUM> may receive a user's input to control the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus <NUM> and may include a keyboard, button, keypad, mouse, trackball, jog switch, knob, a touchpad, a touch screen, a microphone, a motion input means, a biometrics input means, etc. For example, the user's input may include inputs for manipulating buttons, keypads, mice, trackballs, jog switches, or knobs, inputs for touching a touchpad or a touch screen, a voice input, a motion input, and a bioinformation input, for example, iris recognition or fingerprint recognition, but an exemplary embodiment is not limited thereto.

An example of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus <NUM> according to the present exemplary embodiment is described below with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates examples of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100a, 100b, and 100c according to the present exemplary embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100a may include a main display <NUM> and a sub-display <NUM>. At least one among the main display <NUM> and the sub-display <NUM> may include a touch screen. The main display <NUM> and the sub-display <NUM> may display ultrasound images and/or various information processed by the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100a. The main display <NUM> and the sub-display <NUM> may provide graphical user interfaces (GUI), thereby receiving user's inputs of data to control the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100a. For example, the main display <NUM> may display an ultrasound image and the sub-display <NUM> may display a control panel to control display of the ultrasound image as a GUI. The sub-display <NUM> may receive an input of data to control the display of an image through the control panel displayed as a GUI. The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100a may control the display of the ultrasound image on the main display <NUM> by using the input control data.

Referring to <FIG>, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100b may include a control panel <NUM>. The control panel <NUM> may include buttons, trackballs, jog switches, or knobs, and may receive data to control the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100b from the user. For example, the control panel <NUM> may include a time gain compensation (TGC) button <NUM> and a freeze button <NUM>. The TGC button <NUM> is to set a TGC value for each depth of an ultrasound image. Also, when an input of the freeze button <NUM> is detected during scanning an ultrasound image, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100b may keep displaying a frame image at that time point.

The buttons, trackballs, jog switches, and knobs included in the control panel <NUM> may be provided as a GUI to the main display <NUM> or the sub-display <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100c may include a portable device. An example of the portable ultrasound diagnosis apparatus may include, for example, smart phones including probes and applications, laptop computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), or tablet PCs, but an exemplary embodiment is not limited thereto.

The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100c may include the probe <NUM> and a main body <NUM>. The probe <NUM> may be connected to one side of the main body <NUM> by wire or wirelessly. The main body <NUM> may include a touch screen <NUM>. The touch screen <NUM> may display an ultrasound image, various pieces of information processed by the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100c, and a GUI.

<FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams for explaining a method of diagnosing a fetus by using an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus according to an embodiment.

<FIG> illustrates a direction in which a fetus is positioned within a pregnant woman's body. Images <NUM> through <NUM> shown in <FIG> respectively represent a longitudinal lie vertex presentation, a longitudinal lie breech presentation, and a transverse lie shoulder presentation.

<FIG> illustrates an example in which a user <NUM> diagnoses a fetus within a pregnant woman's body <NUM> by using an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus <NUM>. When the user <NUM> diagnoses the fetus by using the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus <NUM>, information about left and right sides of the fetus is important in determining whether organs of the fetus are in a normal position (situs solitus) or abnormal position (situs inversus). However, because the fetus may be positioned within a pregnant woman's body in various directions as shown in <FIG>, information about left and right sides of the pregnant woman's body may be different from the information about the left and right sides of the fetus, which makes it difficult to identify the left and right sides of the fetus.

To determine information about the left and right sides of the fetus, according to a method of the related art, the user <NUM> checks information related to a position of the fetus (e.g. information related to whether the fetus is in a vertex presentation or breech presentation) and directly determines the left and right sides thereof.

However, the user may have difficulties in intuitively determining the left and right sides of the fetus only based on a cross-section of the fetus. Thus, according to various embodiments of the disclosure, there are provided a method and apparatus for displaying an image representing an orientation of a fetus within a pregnant woman's body together with an ultrasound image such that a user may accurately and intuitively diagnose the fetus.

<FIG> and <FIG> are block diagrams of configurations of an ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM>, according to an embodiment.

The ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG> is an apparatus for displaying an ultrasound image. The ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may be included in or include the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus <NUM> of <FIG>. Alternatively, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may be a separate electronic device connected to the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus <NUM> and display an ultrasound image obtained from the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus <NUM> or an external device.

Descriptions of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus <NUM> of <FIG> may be applied to the components of the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG>, and thus, will not be repeated below.

Referring to <FIG>, according to an embodiment, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> includes a processor <NUM> and a display <NUM>. However, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may include more components than those shown in <FIG>. For example, according to an embodiment, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may further include at least one of an input interface <NUM>, a storage <NUM>, and a communicator <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

Furthermore, according to an embodiment, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may include or be connected to a probe <NUM>. The ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may display an ultrasound image of an object acquired via the probe <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, an ultrasound transceiver <NUM>, an image processor <NUM>, and a controller <NUM> of the processor <NUM> may respectively perform at least some of the operations and functions of the ultrasound transceiver <NUM>, the image processor <NUM>, and the controller <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>. According to an embodiment, the display <NUM>, the input interface <NUM>, the storage <NUM>, and the communicator <NUM> may respectively correspond to the display <NUM>, the input interface <NUM>, the storage <NUM>, and the communicator <NUM>. Descriptions that are already provided above with respect to the corresponding components will be omitted here.

Although <FIG> and <FIG> show that the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> includes a single processor for convenience, embodiments are not limited thereto, and the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may include a plurality of processors. When the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> includes the plurality of processors, operations of the processor <NUM> to be described below may be respectively performed by the processors.

The components of the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> are now described in more detail.

According to the invention, the processor <NUM> of the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> determines an orientation of a fetus within a pregnant woman's body. The orientation of the fetus may be an orientation of an axis of the fetus relative to the pregnant woman's body. For example, the orientation of the fetus may include information about whether the fetus is longitudinally or transversely positioned with respect to the pregnant woman's body, information about whether a fetus's head or buttocks is facing towards a pregnant woman's cervix, and information about a direction in which an anterior portion of the fetus points towards the pregnant woman's body.

The processor <NUM> determines one of directions of a fetus's head and spine based on a first ultrasound image obtained by scanning the pregnant woman's body in a first direction and the other of the directions based on a second ultrasound image obtained by scanning the pregnant woman's body in a second direction.

The first direction may be different from the second direction. The first direction may be perpendicular to the second direction. For example, the first direction may be a direction in which one of longitudinal and transverse planes of the pregnant woman's body is scanned, and the second direction may be a direction in which the other of the longitudinal and transverse planes is scanned. As another example, the first direction may be a direction in which a sagittal plane, a median plane, or an anteroposterior plane of the pregnant woman's body is scanned, and the second direction may be a direction in which an axial plane, a lateral plane, or a horizontal plane of the pregnant woman's body is scanned.

The processor <NUM> first determines a direction of the fetus's head based on the first ultrasound image obtained by scanning the pregnant woman's body along the first direction and then a direction of the fetus's spine based on the second ultrasound image obtained by scanning the pregnant woman's body along the second direction. However, embodiments are not limited thereto, and the processor <NUM> may first determine the direction of the fetus's spine based on the first ultrasound image and then the direction of the fetus's head based on the second ultrasound image.

The processor <NUM> determines the orientation of the fetus within the pregnant woman's body based on the directions of the fetus's head and spine.

The display <NUM> displays an image representing the orientation of the fetus together with an ultrasound image obtained by scanning the pregnant woman's body. The display <NUM> may display an image representing the orientation of the fetus together with a real-time ultrasound image obtained by scanning the mother's body, thereby allowing the user to easily identify information about left and right sides of a cross-sectional image of the fetus.

Operations of the components of the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> for displaying an image representing the orientation of the fetus are now described in more detail.

When an object is scanned, the display <NUM> displays a marker indicating an orientation of the probe <NUM> for scanning the object to obtain an ultrasound image. The user may scan, based on the marker being displayed on a screen of the display <NUM>, the pregnant woman's body while holding the probe <NUM> in one hand in a direction corresponding to the marker being displayed. The processor <NUM> determines an orientation of the fetus based on a direction of a fetus's head, a direction of a fetus's spine, and an orientation of the probe <NUM>.

<FIG> are diagrams for explaining markers used to indicate an orientation of the probe <NUM>, according to an embodiment.

<FIG> illustrates an example in which a user keeps the probe <NUM> in a vertical position and scans a mother's body in a longitudinal direction with the probe <NUM>. By taking into account that a marker <NUM> is displayed at the top of the screen of the display <NUM>, the user may hold the probe <NUM> with one hand such that a marker <NUM> attached to the probe <NUM> is positioned at the top of the probe <NUM> and may scan the pregnant woman's body with reference to a marker <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example in which the user scans the pregnant woman's body in a transverse plane with the probe <NUM> in a horizontal position. By taking into account that a marker <NUM> is displayed on the left side of the screen of the display <NUM>, the user may hold the probe <NUM> with one hand such that a marker <NUM> attached to the probe <NUM> is positioned on the left side of the probe <NUM> and may scan the pregnant woman's body with reference to the marker <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a relationship between the marker <NUM> attached to the probe <NUM> and the marker <NUM> displayed on the screen.

<FIG> illustrates an example in which the user keeps the probe <NUM> in a vertical position and scans the pregnant woman's body in a longitudinal plane with the probe <NUM>. By taking into account that the marker <NUM> is displayed at the top of the screen of the display <NUM>, the user may hold the probe <NUM> with one hand such that the marker <NUM> attached to the probe <NUM> is positioned at the top of the probe <NUM> and may scan the pregnant woman's body with reference to the marker <NUM>. When a fetus positioned within the pregnant woman's body in a longitudinal direction is scanned as shown in the image <NUM>, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may obtain an ultrasound image <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>.

The user or the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may determine, based on the ultrasound images <NUM> and <NUM>, that the fetus is positioned within the pregnant woman's body in a longitudinal lie vertex presentation. As shown in the ultrasound images <NUM> and <NUM>, when a head of the fetus in the ultrasound images <NUM> and <NUM> is located on the right side thereof, the user or the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may determine that the fetus is positioned within the pregnant woman's body in the longitudinal lie vertex presentation.

The user or the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may determine, based on the ultrasound images <NUM> and <NUM>, that the fetus is positioned within the pregnant woman's body in a longitudinal lie breech presentation. As shown in the ultrasound images <NUM> and <NUM>, when the fetus's head in the ultrasound images <NUM> and <NUM> is located on the left side thereof, the user or the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may determine that the fetus is positioned within the pregnant woman's body in the longitudinal lie breech presentation.

An image <NUM> of <FIG> is obtained by scanning the pregnant woman's body in a transverse plane with the probe <NUM> in a horizontal position. By taking into account that the marker <NUM> is displayed on the left side of the screen of the display <NUM>, the user may hold the probe <NUM> with one hand such that the marker <NUM> attached to the probe <NUM> is positioned on the left side thereof and may scan the pregnant woman's body with reference to the marker <NUM>. When the fetus positioned within the pregnant woman's body in a transverse direction is scanned as shown in the image <NUM>, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may obtain an ultrasound image <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>.

The user or the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may determine, based on the ultrasound image <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>, that the fetus is positioned within the pregnant woman's body in a transverse lie shoulder presentation. As shown in the ultrasound image <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>, when the fetus's head in an ultrasound image obtained by scanning the pregnant woman's body in a transverse direction is positioned on the right or left side of the ultrasound image, the user or the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may determine that the fetus is positioned within the pregnant woman's body in the transverse line shoulder presentation.

The ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> displays a marker indicating an orientation of the probe <NUM> to allow the user to continuously scan the pregnant woman's body in a specific direction to obtain an ultrasound image.

According to the invention, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> respectively obtains first and second ultrasound images by scanning the pregnant woman's body in first and second directions.

As shown in an image <NUM> of <FIG>, the processor <NUM> may obtain an ultrasound image by scanning a cross-section of a fetus along a longitudinal axis of the pregnant woman's body. The processor <NUM> may obtain an ultrasound image by scanning the pregnant woman's body in a longitudinal plane. Furthermore, as shown in an image <NUM> of <FIG>, the processor <NUM> may obtain an ultrasound image by scanning a cross-section of the fetus along a transverse axis of the pregnant woman's body. The processor <NUM> may obtain an ultrasound image by scanning the pregnant woman's body in a transverse plane.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may display a UI for guiding a user through a direction in which the object is to be scanned.

The processor <NUM> may control the display <NUM> to display a UI for guiding the user to scan the pregnant woman's body in a first direction.

The ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may display a UI for guiding a user through a scanning direction. The scanning direction may be represented by at least one of a letter, an image, and a symbol. For example, referring to <FIG>, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may display an image <NUM> having at least one of an arrow <NUM> and a guiding phrase <NUM> included therein such that the pregnant woman's body is scanned in a longitudinal plane.

According to guidance by the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM>, the user may manipulate the probe <NUM> to scan the pregnant woman's body in the longitudinal plane.

<FIG> illustrate ultrasound images obtained by performing a scan along an orientation of a fetus within a pregnant woman's body.

When the fetus is positioned as shown in an image <NUM> of <FIG>, an ultrasound image <NUM> may be obtained by scanning the pregnant woman's body in a longitudinal direction via the probe <NUM>. The ultrasound image <NUM> may show a cross-section of the fetus having the same orientation as illustrated in an image <NUM>. A head of the fetus in the ultrasound image <NUM> may be located right with respect to the torso.

When the fetus is positioned as shown in an image <NUM> of <FIG>, an ultrasound image <NUM> may be obtained by scanning the pregnant woman's body in the longitudinal direction via the probe <NUM>. The ultrasound image <NUM> may show a cross-section of the fetus having the same orientation as illustrated in an image <NUM>. The head of the fetus in the ultrasound image <NUM> may be located with respect to the torso.

When the fetus is positioned as shown in an image <NUM> of <FIG>, an ultrasound image <NUM> may be obtained by scanning the pregnant woman's body in the longitudinal direction via the probe <NUM>. The ultrasound image <NUM> may show a cross-section of the fetus having the same orientation as illustrated in an image <NUM>. The head of the fetus in the ultrasound image <NUM> may be located left with respect to the torso.

The processor <NUM> may detect a head of a fetus in a first ultrasound image and determine a direction of the fetus's head based on the detected head. The processor <NUM> may determine whether the fetus's head in the first ultrasound image is located right or left with respect to the torso. The processor <NUM> may determine a presentation of the fetus based on a relationship between an orientation of the probe <NUM> (or a position of a marker being displayed on the display <NUM>) and the direction of the fetus's head.

For example, when a fetus's head detected in an ultrasound image is oriented in a right direction, the processor <NUM> may determine an orientation of the fetus as corresponding to a vertex presentation of the fetus in the pregnant woman's body. Alternatively, when the fetus's head detected in the ultrasound image is oriented in a left direction, the processor <NUM> may determine an orientation of the fetus as corresponding to a breech presentation of the fetus in the pregnant woman's body.

The display <NUM> may display the fetus's head and the direction of the fetus's head on the first ultrasound image. The direction of the fetus's head may be represented by at least one of an image, a figure, a letter, and a symbol.

<FIG> illustrates an example of an ultrasound image representing a fetus's head and a direction of the fetus's head, according to an embodiment.

As shown in a first ultrasound image <NUM> of <FIG>, the display <NUM> may display a detected head <NUM> of a fetus and show a vertex of the fetus as being located on the right side of the image <NUM>. The display <NUM> may show the fetus's head in the first ultrasound image <NUM> as being located right with respect to the torso. As shown in an image <NUM> of <FIG>, the display <NUM> may display an indicator <NUM> indicating that the head <NUM> is located on the right side of the image <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> may control the display <NUM> to display a UI for guiding the user to scan a pregnant woman's body in a second direction.

The ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may display a UI for guiding a user through a scanning direction. The scanning direction may be represented by at least one of a letter, an image, and a symbol. For example, referring to <FIG>, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may display an image <NUM> having at least one of an arrow <NUM> and a guiding phrase <NUM> included therein such that a transverse plane of the pregnant woman's body is scanned.

According to guidance by the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM>, the user may manipulate the probe <NUM> to scan the transverse plane of the pregnant woman's body.

<FIG> is a diagram for explaining ultrasound images obtained by scanning along an orientation of a fetus.

When the fetus is located in a longitudinal direction and a pregnant woman's body is scanned in a transverse direction via the probe <NUM>, as shown in images <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, ultrasound images respectively showing cross-sections of the fetus illustrated in images <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be obtained.

For example, when the fetus is positioned as shown in the image <NUM> of <FIG>, an ultrasound image may be obtained by scanning the pregnant woman's body in a transverse direction via the probe <NUM>. When a spine of the fetus faces a pregnant woman's back as shown in the image <NUM>, the spine may be located at the bottom in the ultrasound image, as shown in the image <NUM>. A position of the spine detected in a second ultrasound image obtained when the fetus's spine faces the pregnant woman's back may be used as a reference point for determining a rotation angle of the fetus. Alternatively, a point corresponding to the <NUM> o'clock direction on the ultrasound image or a point corresponding to the bottom of the ultrasound image may be determined as a reference point for determining a rotation angle of the fetus.

As another example, the image <NUM> of <FIG> shows tan axis of the fetus rotated by <NUM> degrees compared to the image <NUM> of <FIG>. When the fetus is positioned as shown in the image <NUM> of <FIG>, an ultrasound image showing a cross-section of the fetus illustrated in the image <NUM> may be obtained by scanning the pregnant woman's body in the transverse direction via the probe <NUM>. As shown in the image <NUM> of <FIG>, the ultrasound image may be obtained when the fetus's spine is rotated by <NUM> degrees clockwise with respect to the reference point.

The processor <NUM> may detect the fetus's spine in the second ultrasound image and determine a direction of the fetus's spine based on the detected fetus's spine. The processor <NUM> may detect a fetus's torso and spine in the second ultrasound image and determine an angle by which an axis of the fetus in the second ultrasound image rotates relative to the reference point. The display <NUM> may display the fetus's spine and rotation angle on the second ultrasound image.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may acquire an angle by which the fetus rotates within the pregnant woman's body based on a position of the fetus's spine by scanning the pregnant woman's body along a transverse-axis direction.

<FIG> illustrates an example of an ultrasound image representing a fetus's spine and rotation angle, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. As shown in an ultrasound image <NUM> of <FIG>, the display <NUM> may display a fetus's spine <NUM> and a rotation angle <NUM> of the fetus between a line connecting a central point of a fetus's torso with a reference point <NUM> and a line connecting the central point thereof with the fetus's spine <NUM>.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, when a fetus's head or spine is not detected in one of first and second ultrasound images, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may display a UI for guiding the user to rescan the pregnant woman's body.

When the fetus's head is detected in the first ultrasound image, the processor <NUM> may determine a direction of the fetus's head by analyzing the first ultrasound image. However, when the fetus's head is not detected in the first ultrasound image, the processor <NUM> may control the display <NUM> to display a UI for guiding the user to rescan the pregnant woman's body. The processor <NUM> may control the display <NUM> to display a UI for guiding the user to scan the pregnant woman's body in a first direction.

Furthermore, when the fetus's spine is detected in the second ultrasound image, the processor <NUM> may determine a direction of the fetus's spine analyzing the second ultrasound image. Otherwise, when the fetus's spine is not detected in the second ultrasound image, the processor <NUM> may control the display <NUM> to display a UI for guiding the user to rescan the pregnant woman's body. The processor <NUM> may control the display <NUM> to display a UI for guiding the user to scan the pregnant woman's body in a second direction.

Referring to <FIG>, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may display obtained first and second ultrasound images together on a single screen. However, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited thereto, and the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may sequentially display the first and second ultrasound images.

As shown in an image <NUM> of <FIG>, according to an embodiment, when a fetus's head is not detected in the first ultrasound image obtained by scanning a pregnant woman's body in a longitudinal plane, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may display a UI for guiding the user to rescan the pregnant woman's body. The user may change an orientation, an angle, etc., of the probe <NUM> based on the UI for guiding rescanning, such that the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may obtain the first ultrasound image again.

Furthermore, as shown in an image <NUM> of <FIG>, according to an embodiment, when a fetus's spine is not detected in the second ultrasound image obtained by scanning the pregnant woman's body in a transverse plane, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may display a UI for guiding the user to rescan the pregnant woman's body. The user may change an orientation, an angle, etc., of the probe <NUM> based on the UI for guiding rescanning, such that the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may obtain the second ultrasound image again.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, when the fetus's head or spine is not detected in one of the first and second ultrasound images, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may receive a user input related to an orientation of the fetus.

As shown in <FIG>, according to an embodiment, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may further include an input interface for receiving a user input.

When the fetus's head is detected in the first ultrasound image, the processor <NUM> may determine a direction of the fetus's head by analyzing the first ultrasound image. However, when the fetus's head is not detected in the first ultrasound image, the processor <NUM> may determine the direction of the fetus's head based on a user input with respect to the first ultrasound image.

Furthermore, when the fetus's spine is detected in the second ultrasound image, the processor <NUM> may determine a direction of the fetus's spine analyzing the second ultrasound image. Otherwise, when the fetus's spine is not detected in the second ultrasound image, the processor <NUM> may determine the direction of the fetus's head based on a user input with respect to the second ultrasound image.

As shown in an image <NUM> of <FIG>, according to an embodiment, when a fetus's head is not detected in a first ultrasound image obtained by scanning a pregnant woman's body in a longitudinal plane, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may display a UI for receiving a user input of designating a direction of the fetus's head. The user may designate the direction of the fetus's head determined in the image <NUM>, based on the UI for guiding the user to designate the direction of the fetus's head.

Furthermore, as shown in an image <NUM> of <FIG>, according to an embodiment, when a fetus's spine is not detected in a second ultrasound image obtained by scanning a pregnant woman's body in a transverse plane, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may display a UI for receiving a user input of designating a direction of the fetus's spine. The user may designate the direction of the fetus's spine determined in the image <NUM>, based on the UI for guiding the user to designate the direction of the fetus's spine.

As shown in a table of <FIG>, according to an embodiment, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may determine an orientation of a fetus within a pregnant woman's body based on directions of a fetus's head and spine.

A first column <NUM> of the table of <FIG> represents cases in which the fetus is in a longitudinal lie vertex presentation where the vertex of the fetus faces a cervix. A second column <NUM> represents cases in which the fetus is in a longitudinal line breech presentation where buttocks of the fetus face the cervix.

The processor <NUM> may determine whether the fetus is in a longitudinal lie vertex presentation or longitudinal lie breech presentation, based on whether a fetus's head is oriented in the left or right direction in a first ultrasound image obtained by scanning the fetus in a longitudinal plane. When it is assumed that the first ultrasound image is obtained via the probe <NUM> placed in an orientation corresponding to a marker being displayed on the display <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may determine the direction of the fetus's head. The processor <NUM> may identify in advance which of the left side and right side of the first ultrasound image is closer to the cervix. The processor <NUM> may determine which of the crown and buttocks are closer to the cervix, based on the direction of the fetus's head in the first ultrasound image and the direction of the marker being displayed (or the orientation of the probe <NUM>).

A first row <NUM> of the table of <FIG> represents cases in which the fetus is in a presentation wherein the fetus's spine faces the pregnant woman's back. Second through fourth rows <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> respectively represent cases in which the fetus is in a presentation where an axis of the fetus rotates <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> degrees in a clockwise direction.

The processor <NUM> may determine an angle by which the axis of the fetus rotates from a second ultrasound image obtained by scanning the fetus in a transverse plane. When it is assumed that the second ultrasound image is obtained via the probe <NUM> placed in an orientation corresponding to a marker being displayed on the display <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may determine the direction of the fetus's spine. The processor <NUM> may determine the angle by which the axis of the fetus rotates based on the direction of the fetus's spine.

The processor <NUM> may also determine an orientation of the fetus within the pregnant woman's body based on the directions of the fetus's head and spine.

<FIG> illustrates an example of an ultrasound image representing left and right sides of a fetus being displayed, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Ultrasound images <NUM> through <NUM> may be obtained by scanning a pregnant woman's body in a second direction (e.g., a transverse direction). As shown in <FIG>, information about left and right orientations of the fetus, which is indicated on the ultrasound images <NUM> through <NUM> respectively showing transverse planes of the fetus, may vary according to whether a presentation of the fetus is a vertex presentation (<NUM> and <NUM>) or a breech presentation (<NUM> and <NUM>). In each of the ultrasound images <NUM> through <NUM>, "Lt' and "Rt' respectively indicate left and right sides of the fetus.

As described above, according to various embodiments of the disclosures, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may scan a fetus in a direction of a longitudinal or transverse plane of a pregnant woman's body and detect a region corresponding to a distinctive structure (e.g., a head, a spine, or the like), thereby providing information about an orientation of the fetus determined based on the detected region. Accordingly, the user may easily check information about the left and right sides of the fetus and intuitively determine whether arrangement of organs of the fetus is normal or abnormal based on the information about the left and right sides of the fetus.

An image representing an orientation of the fetus, which is displayed on the display <NUM>, includes at least one of an image having indicated thereon at least one of the left and right sides of the fetus in an ultrasound image, an image showing a cross-section and the left and right sides of the fetus in the ultrasound image, and a mimic image showing the fetus three-dimensionally based on an orientation of the fetus. <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate screens <NUM> and <NUM> displayed by an ultrasound image display apparatus, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

As seen on the screen <NUM> of <FIG>, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may display images <NUM> and <NUM> representing an orientation of a fetus, together with an ultrasound image <NUM> obtained by scanning a pregnant woman's body. The image <NUM> shows a cross-section and left and right sides of the fetus in the ultrasound image <NUM>. The image <NUM> is a mimic image showing the fetus three-dimensionally based on the orientation of the fetus.

As seen on the screen <NUM> of <FIG>, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may display an image <NUM> obtained by overlaying an image <NUM> representing an orientation of the fetus on the ultrasound image <NUM> obtained by scanning the pregnant woman's body.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, when the orientation of the fetus is represented using a mimic image, the processor <NUM> of the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may control the display <NUM> to rotate the mimic image based on a user input.

As seen on a screen <NUM> of <FIG>, in general, a pregnant woman's body may be scanned in a longitudinal direction in order to scan a fetus in a longitudinal plane. An arrow <NUM> may indicate a general longitudinal scan, and a mimic image <NUM> may represent an orientation of the fetus within the pregnant woman's body. However, as seen on a screen <NUM> of <FIG>, when the fetus is lying obliquely within the pregnant woman's body, the fetus may be scanned in a longitudinal plane obliquely to the pregnant woman's body by taking into account a direction in which the fetus is lying. The processor <NUM> may set a scanning direction based on a user input, as indicated by an arrow <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may control the display <NUM> such that a direction of a mimic image <NUM> may change as the scanning direction changes. It can be seen that the mimic image <NUM> is rotated compared to the mimic image <NUM>.

Thus, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may provide an accurate mimic image by taking into account an orientation of a fetus within a pregnant woman's body.

Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, when the orientation of the fetus is represented using a mimic image, the processor <NUM> of the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may adjust an ultrasound image being displayed based on a user input with respect to the mimic image. For example, the processor <NUM> may enlarge, reduce, pan and/or rotate an ultrasound image based on a user input.

As seen on a screen <NUM> of <FIG>, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may rotate an ultrasound image <NUM> based on a user input of rotating a mimic image <NUM>.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the user of the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may easily identify left and right sides of a fetus based on an image representing an orientation of the fetus and determine whether arrangement of organs of the fetus is situs solitus or situs inversus. The ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may display, based on a user input, whether arrangement of organs of the fetus is situs solitus or situs inversus. For example, as shown in <FIG> or <FIG>, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may display arrangement of organs of the fetus as being a normal case in which the organs of the fetus are in the normal position.

Alternatively, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may directly identify a position of organs of the fetus based on information about the left and right sides of the fetus. The ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may detect a region corresponding to at least one of the organs of the fetus in an ultrasound image to determine whether the organ of the fetus is in the normal position based on the information about the left and right sides of the fetus. The ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may determine whether arrangement of the organs of the fetus is situs solitus or situs inversus based on the position of the organ of the fetus. For example, as shown in <FIG> or <FIG>, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may display arrangement of the organs of the fetus as being a normal case in which the organs of the fetus are in the normal position.

For example, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may determine a case in which an organ of a fetus such as the heart is located on the left side of the chest as being situs solitus and a case in which the heart is located on the right side as being situs inversus. By determining whether an organ of the fetus is located on the left or right side in a scanned cross-section, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may determine whether arrangement of organs of the fetus is situs solitus or situs inversus. Furthermore, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may display information about a determination result on a screen to allow the user to easily recognize the information.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, when an orientation of a fetus is represented using a mimic image, the processor <NUM> of the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may determine a posture of the fetus based on a fetus's legs detected in an ultrasound image and generate the mimic image based on the orientation and posture of the fetus. The ultrasound image used to detect the fetus's legs may be a first ultrasound image obtained by scanning the fetus in a longitudinal plane.

<FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> are diagrams for explaining a method, performed by an ultrasound image display apparatus, of determining and displaying a fetal posture, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

As shown in <FIG>, a fetus may assume various postures within a pregnant woman's body. An image <NUM> represents a frank breech in which the fetus sticks both legs straight up toward its head, and an image <NUM> represents an incomplete breech in which one leg of the fetus is down below its buttocks. An image <NUM> represents a complete breech in which both legs of the fetus are bent at the knees.

According to an embodiment, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may also detect a fetus's leg or foot. As shown in <FIG>, according to an embodiment, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may determine a type of posture of a fetus based on a position of a fetus's leg and display the determined type of posture on a screen.

Referring to <FIG>, the processor <NUM> of the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may determine a posture of a fetus as a frank breech based on a fetus's leg <NUM> detected in an ultrasound image <NUM>. Furthermore, the processor <NUM> may determine the posture of the fetus as an incomplete breech based on a fetus's foot <NUM> detected in an ultrasound image <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the display <NUM> of the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may determine a posture of a fetus as a frank breech based on a fetus's head <NUM> and leg <NUM> detected in an ultrasound image <NUM> and display information <NUM> about the determined posture of the fetus on the ultrasound image <NUM>.

A method, performed by the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM>, of displaying an image representing an orientation of a fetus together with an ultrasound image according to an embodiment of the disclosure will be described in more detail below. Each operation of methods of <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> may be performed by at least one component described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>. Thus, descriptions that are already provided above with respect to <FIG> and <FIG> will not be repeated below.

<FIG> is a flowchart of a method of displaying an ultrasound image, according to the invention.

According to the invention, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> determines a direction of a fetus's head based on a first ultrasound image obtained by scanning a pregnant woman's body in a first direction (S2210).

The ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may display a UI for guiding a user to scan a pregnant woman's body in a first direction, obtain a first ultrasound image, and detect a fetus's head in the first ultrasound image. For example, the first direction may be a longitudinal direction.

The ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may determine a presentation of the fetus based on a relationship between an orientation of the probe <NUM> (or a position of a marker being displayed) and a direction of the fetus's head. In detail, when at least a portion of the fetus's head and at least a portion of the fetus's buttocks are both identified in the first ultrasound image, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may determine a direction of the fetus's head. Alternatively, when at least a portion of the fetus's head or at least a portion of the fetus's buttocks is identified in the first ultrasound image, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may determine a direction of the fetus's head. The ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may determine whether a presentation of the fetus is a vertex presentation or a breech presentation based on the direction of the fetus's head.

When the fetus's head is not detected in the first ultrasound image, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may display a UI for guiding the user to rescan the pregnant woman's body. The ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may detect a fetus's head in a first ultrasound image obtained by rescanning the pregnant woman's body and determine a direction of the fetus's head based on the first ultrasound image.

Alternatively, when the fetus's head is not detected in the first ultrasound image, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may determine a direction of the fetus's head based on a user input.

When the fetus's head is detected in the first ultrasound image, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may determine whether the fetus's head in the first ultrasound image is located right or left with respect to the torso. The ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may display the fetus's head and a direction of the fetus's head on the first ultrasound image. For example, when a fetus's head detected in an ultrasound image is oriented in the right direction, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may determine that the fetus is positioned within the pregnant woman's body in a vertex presentation. When the fetus's head detected in the ultrasound image is oriented in the left direction, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may determine that the fetus is positioned with the pregnant woman's body in a breech presentation.

According to the invention, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> determines a direction of a fetus's spine based on a second ultrasound image obtained by scanning the pregnant woman's body in a second direction (S2220).

The ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may display a UI for guiding the user to scan a pregnant woman's body in a second direction, obtain a second ultrasound image, and detect a fetus's spine in the second ultrasound image. For example, the second direction may be perpendicular to the first direction. The second direction may be a transverse direction.

When the fetus's spine is detected in the second ultrasound image, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may determine a direction of the fetus's spine.

When the fetus's spine is not detected in the second ultrasound image, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may display a UI for guiding the user to rescan the pregnant woman's body. The ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may detect a fetus's spine in a second ultrasound image obtained by rescanning the pregnant woman's body and determine a direction of the fetus's spine based on the second ultrasound image.

Alternatively, when the fetus's spine is not detected in the second ultrasound image, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may determine a direction of the fetus's spine based on a user input.

When a direction of the fetus's spine is determined, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may detect at least one of a fetus's torso and spine in the second ultrasound image. The ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may calculate an angle at which the fetus turns within the pregnant woman's body based on a position of the detected fetus's spine. The ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may determine an angle of rotation of an axis of the fetus relative to a reference point in the second ultrasound image. The ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may also display the fetus's spine and the rotation angle on the second ultrasound image.

Although it is described that the fetus's head and spine are respectively detected in longitudinal and transverse plane images of the pregnant woman's body in operation S2210 and S2220, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited to the example shown in <FIG>. The fetus's spine may be detected earlier than the fetus's head, and an ultrasound image obtained by scanning the pregnant woman's body in a transverse plane may be acquired prior to acquiring an ultrasound image obtained by scanning the pregnant woman's body in a longitudinal plane.

For example, when the fetus is positioned within the pregnant woman's body in a shoulder presentation as shown in the image <NUM> of <FIG>, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may detect a spine of the fetus in a longitudinal plane image of the pregnant woman's body and then its head in a transverse plane image of the pregnant woman's body.

According to the invention, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> determines an orientation of the fetus within the pregnant woman's body based on the directions of the fetus's head and spine (S2230).

According to the invention, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> displays an image representing the orientation of the fetus, together with an ultrasound image obtained by scanning the pregnant woman's body (S2240).

The ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may display an image representing an orientation of the fetus, together with a real-time ultrasound image obtained by scanning the pregnant woman's body in the second direction. The ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may display information about left and right orientations of the fetus on a cross-section scanned in real-time.

The image representing the orientation of the fetus includes at least one of an image having indicated thereon at least one of the left and right sides of the fetus in an ultrasound image, an image showing a cross-section and the left and right sides of the fetus in the ultrasound image, and a mimic image showing the fetus three-dimensionally based on an orientation of the fetus.

For example, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may generate a mimic image based on an angle of rotation of the fetus with respect to a longitudinal axis of the pregnant woman's body and an angle of rotation of the fetus with respect to a transverse axis thereof and provide the generated mimic image, thereby allowing accurate representation of the orientation of the fetus within the pregnant woman's body.

In a scanned cross-section other than cross-sections respectively corresponding to the first and second ultrasound images, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may determine whether arrangement of organs of the fetus is situs solitus or situs inversus by using information about left and right sides of the fetus.

According to the invention, when an object is scanned via the probe <NUM>, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> displays a marker representing an orientation of the probe <NUM> on a screen. The ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may analyze an ultrasound image based on an assumption that an ultrasound image is obtained via the probe <NUM> placed in a direction corresponding to the marker being displayed. The ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> determines an orientation of the fetus based on directions of the fetus's head and spine and the orientation of the probe <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may rotate a mimic image based on a user input. The ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may display an ultrasound image that rotates as the mimic image rotates.

According to an embodiment, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may further detect a fetus's leg and/or foot in an ultrasound image and determine a type of posture of the fetus based on the detected fetus's leg and/or foot. The ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may generate a mimic image based on the orientation and posture of the fetus and display the generated mimic image. An ultrasound image used as a reference in determining the posture of the fetus may be obtained by scanning the fetus in a longitudinal direction. The ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may display information about the posture of the fetus on the screen.

<FIG> and <FIG> are flowcharts of a method of displaying an ultrasound image, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

The ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may display a UI for guiding scanning of a pregnant woman's body in a first direction (S2311). A user may place the probe <NUM> on the pregnant woman's body based on the UI.

The ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may obtain an ultrasound image (S2312). The ultrasound image may be obtained by scanning the pregnant woman's body in the first direction.

The ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may analyze the obtained ultrasound image (S2313). The ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may detect a distinctive structure (e.g., a head, a spine, legs, etc.) of a fetus in the obtained ultrasound image.

The ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may determine whether a fetus's head is detected in the ultrasound image (S2314).

When the fetus's head is detected in the ultrasound image, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may determine a direction of the fetus's head (S2315). Otherwise, when the fetus's head is not detected in the ultrasound image, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may display a UI for guiding rescanning of the pregnant woman's body (S2316). The ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may obtain an ultrasound image by rescanning the pregnant woman's body (S2317) and returns to operation S2313 to analyze the ultrasound image.

The ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may display a UI for guiding scanning of the pregnant woman's body in a second direction (S2321). The user may place the probe <NUM> on the pregnant woman's body based on the UI.

The ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may obtain an ultrasound image (S2322). The ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may analyze the obtained ultrasound image (S2323). The ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may detect a distinctive structure (e.g., a head, a spine, legs, etc.) of the fetus in the obtained ultrasound image.

The ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may determine whether a fetus's spine is detected in the ultrasound image (S2324).

When the fetus's spine is detected in the ultrasound image, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may determine a direction of the fetus's spine (S2325). Otherwise, when the fetus's spine is not detected in the ultrasound image, the ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may display a UI for guiding rescanning of the pregnant woman's body (S2326). The ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may obtain an ultrasound image by rescanning the pregnant woman's body (S2327) and returns to operation S2323 to analyze the ultrasound image.

The ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may determine an orientation of the fetus based on the directions of the fetus's head and spine (S2330). The ultrasound image display apparatus <NUM> may display an image representing the orientation of the fetus, together with the ultrasound image (S2340).

According to embodiments of the disclosure, by displaying an image representing an orientation of a fetus within a pregnant woman's body together with an ultrasound image, it is possible to easily and accurately determine a position of organs inside the fetus.

The embodiments of the disclosure may be implemented as a software program including instructions stored in computer-readable storage media.

A computer may refer to a device capable of retrieving instructions stored in the computer-readable storage media and performing operations according to embodiments of the disclosure in response to the retrieved instructions, and may include ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses according to the embodiments of the disclosure.

The computer-readable storage media may be provided in the form of non-transitory storage media. In this case, the term 'non-transitory' only means that the storage media do not include signals and are tangible, and the term does not distinguish between data that is semi-permanently stored and data that is temporarily stored in the storage media.

In addition, ultrasound image display methods according to embodiments of the disclosure may be included in a computer program product when provided. The computer program product may be traded, as a commodity, between a seller and a buyer.

The computer program product may include a software program and a computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon the software program. For example, the computer program product may include a product (e.g. a downloadable application) in the form of a software program electronically distributed by a manufacturer of an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus or through an electronic market (e.g., Google Play Store™, and App Store™). For such electronic distribution, at least a part of the software program may be stored on the storage medium or may be temporarily generated. In this case, the storage medium may be a storage medium of a server of the manufacturer, a server of the electronic market, or a relay server for temporarily storing the software program.

In a system consisting of a server and a terminal (e.g., an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus), the computer program product may include a storage medium of the server or a storage medium of the terminal. Alternatively, in a case where a third device (e.g., a smartphone) is connected to the server or terminal through a communication network, the computer program product may include a storage medium of the third device. Alternatively, the computer program product may include a software program that is transmitted from the server to the terminal or the third device or that is transmitted from the third device to the terminal.

In this case, one of the server, the terminal, and the third device may execute the computer program product to perform the methods according to embodiments of the disclosure. Alternatively, two or more of the server, the terminal, and the third device may execute the computer program product to perform the methods according to the embodiments of the disclosure in a distributed manner.

For example, the server (e.g., a cloud server, an artificial intelligence (AI) server, or the like) may run the computer program product stored therein to control the terminal communicating with the server to perform the methods according to the embodiments of the disclosure.

As another example, the third device may execute the computer program product to control the terminal communicating with the third device to perform the methods according to the embodiments of the disclosure. In detail, the third device may remotely control an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus to transmit ultrasound signals to an object and generate an ultrasound image of an inner part of the object based on information about signals reflected from the object.

As another example, the third device may run a computer program product to directly perform methods according to embodiments of the disclosure based on a value input from an auxiliary device (e.g., a probe for medical equipment). In detail, the auxiliary device may transmit ultrasound signals to an object and acquire ultrasound signals reflected from the object. The third device may receive information about the reflected ultrasound signals from the auxiliary device and generate an image of an inner part of the object based on the received information.

Claim 1:
A method of displaying an ultrasound image, the method comprising:
displaying on a display (<NUM>) a marker (<NUM>) indicating an orientation of a probe (<NUM>) for scanning a pregnant woman's body (<NUM>);
determining a direction of a fetus's head based on a first ultrasound image (<NUM>-<NUM>) obtained by scanning the pregnant woman's body (<NUM>) in a first direction using the probe (<NUM>) while a further marker (<NUM>) attached to the probe (<NUM>) is positioned in the orientation indicated by the marker (<NUM>) displayed on the display (<NUM>);
determining a direction of a fetus's spine based on a second ultrasound image (<NUM>-<NUM>) obtained by scanning the pregnant woman's body (<NUM>) in a second direction using the probe (<NUM>);
determining an orientation of the fetus within the pregnant woman's body based on the directions of the fetus's head and the fetus's spine and the orientation of the probe;
displaying an image (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) representing the orientation of the fetus together with an ultrasound image (<NUM>) obtained by scanning the pregnant woman's body (<NUM>);
wherein the ultrasound image (<NUM>) is an ultrasound image obtained by scanning the pregnant woman's body (<NUM>) in the second direction, and
wherein the image (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) representing the orientation of the fetus comprises at least one of an image (<NUM>) having indicated thereon at least one of the left and right sides of the fetus in the ultrasound image (<NUM>), an image showing a cross-section and the left and right sides of the fetus in the ultrasound image (<NUM>), and a mimic image (<NUM>) showing the fetus three-dimensionally based on the orientation of the fetus.