Ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and operating method for an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus

Abstract

The disclosure provides an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus including a display, a memory storing one or more instructions, and a processor configured to execute the one or more instructions stored in the memory to generate a plurality of ultrasound images of an object based on echo signals received from the object including a plurality of entities, detect a first entity and a second entity among the plurality of entities in each of the plurality of ultrasound images, acquire size information about the detected first entity and size information about the detected second entity from each of the plurality of ultrasound images, and control the display to display a first ultrasound image showing a maximum size of the first entity and a second ultrasound image showing a maximum size of the second entity from among the plurality of ultrasound images based on the size information about the first entity and the size information about the second entity.

Description

[0001] This application is based on and claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0006748, filed on January 17, 2020, with the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0002] Various embodiments relate to ultrasound diagnostic equipment and methods of operating the ultrasound diagnostic equipment, and more specifically, to ultrasound diagnostic equipment and methods of operating the ultrasound diagnostic equipment for obtaining dimensional information about at least one entity included in an object based on multiple two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound images acquired as the probe scans the object. Background Technology

[0003] In recent years, various types of medical imaging devices have been widely used in the medical field to visualize and acquire information about living human tissue for the early diagnosis or surgery of various diseases. Representative examples of these medical imaging devices include ultrasound diagnostic equipment, computed tomography (CT) equipment, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment.

[0004] Ultrasound diagnostic equipment transmits ultrasonic signals generated by the transducer of the probe towards an object and receives information about the echo signals reflected from the object, thereby acquiring images of the object's internal parts. Specifically, ultrasound diagnostic equipment is used for medical purposes including observing internal regions of an object, detecting foreign substances, and assessing damage. Compared to diagnostic X-ray equipment, such ultrasound diagnostic equipment exhibits high stability, displays images in real time, and is safe due to the absence of radiation exposure; therefore, ultrasound diagnostic equipment has been widely used alongside other types of imaging diagnostic equipment.

[0005] Furthermore, when scanning an object using a 3D probe with transducers arranged in a two-dimensional (2D) configuration, it is feasible to measure the entire volume of the object, thus accurately and easily obtaining the dimensions of the entities included within the object. However, 3D probes are expensive and bulky, meaning they are not easy to use and cause inconvenience to users because used probes need to be replaced. Summary of the Invention

[0006] An ultrasound diagnostic device and a method of operating the ultrasound diagnostic device are provided, which can acquire multiple ultrasound images of an object by scanning the object via a two-dimensional (2D) probe having transducers arranged in a one-dimensional (1D) manner, and easily and accurately obtain dimensional information about at least one entity included in the object based on the acquired ultrasound images.

[0007] Other aspects will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and will be apparent in part from the description, or may be learned by practicing the embodiments presented in this disclosure.

[0008] According to one aspect of this disclosure, an ultrasound diagnostic device includes: a display; a memory storing one or more instructions; and a processor configured to execute the one or more instructions stored in the memory to perform the following operations: generating a plurality of ultrasound images of an object based on echo signals received from an object comprising a plurality of entities; detecting a first entity and a second entity among the plurality of entities in each of the plurality of ultrasound images; acquiring size information about the detected first entity and size information about the detected second entity from each of the plurality of ultrasound images; and controlling the display to display a first ultrasound image showing the maximum size of the first entity and a second ultrasound image showing the maximum size of the second entity from the plurality of ultrasound images based on the size information about the first entity and the size information about the second entity.

[0009] The ultrasound diagnostic device may further include: a probe configured to transmit ultrasound signals to an object and receive echo signals from the object, and the probe may be a two-dimensional probe having a plurality of transducers arranged in one dimension.

[0010] The plurality of ultrasound images can be a series of ultrasound images generated based on echo signals acquired as the probe scans the object along a first direction, and the plurality of ultrasound images correspond to a cross section perpendicular to the first direction.

[0011] The processor may also be configured to execute one or more instructions to perform the following operations: detect a first entity and a second entity in each of the plurality of ultrasound images based on the position and orientation of at least one entity included in each of the plurality of ultrasound images.

[0012] The dimensional information about the first entity may include at least one of the minor axis length, major axis length, area, radius, diameter, and circumference of the first entity detected in each of the plurality of ultrasound images, and the dimensional information about the second entity may include at least one of the minor axis length, major axis length, area, radius, diameter, and circumference of the second entity detected in each of the plurality of ultrasound images.

[0013] The processor may also be configured to execute one or more instructions to perform the following operations: detect multiple entities in each of the plurality of ultrasound images; acquire multiple size information about the plurality of entities respectively; determine a third entity with the largest size among the plurality of entities based on the multiple size information about the plurality of entities respectively; and control the display to display a third ultrasound image from the plurality of ultrasound images showing the largest size of the third entity.

[0014] The processor may also be configured to execute the one or more instructions to perform the following operations: detect multiple entities in each of the multiple ultrasound images and the dimensions of the multiple entities; determine the ultrasound image showing the largest size of each of the multiple entities as the ultrasound image corresponding to each of the multiple entities based on the dimensions of the multiple entities; and control the display to display ultrasound images corresponding to a predetermined number of entities from the multiple entities in order of size from largest to smallest.

[0015] The ultrasound diagnostic device may further include: a user input interface configured to receive the predetermined number.

[0016] The processor may also be configured to execute one or more instructions to: control the display to display size information about a first entity included in a first ultrasound image and size information about a second entity included in a second ultrasound image.

[0017] The object may be an ovary, and the plurality of entities may include follicles contained within the ovary.

[0018] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a method of operating an ultrasound diagnostic device includes: generating a plurality of ultrasound images of an object based on echo signals received from an object comprising a plurality of entities; detecting a first entity and a second entity among the plurality of entities in each of the plurality of ultrasound images; acquiring size information about the detected first entity and size information about the detected second entity from each of the plurality of ultrasound images; and displaying a first ultrasound image showing the maximum size of the first entity and a second ultrasound image showing the maximum size of the second entity from the plurality of ultrasound images based on the size information about the first entity and the size information about the second entity. Attached Figure Description

[0019] These and / or other aspects will become apparent and more readily understood from the following description of the embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0020] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0021] Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 2C These are diagrams illustrating ultrasound diagnostic devices according to exemplary embodiments;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a flowchart of the operation method of the ultrasound diagnostic device according to an embodiment;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a reference diagram used to describe a method for generating multiple ultrasound images using an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment;

[0024] Figure 5 This is a reference diagram used to describe a method for detecting a first entity and a second entity in a plurality of ultrasound images using an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment;

[0025] Figure 6 An example of an ultrasound diagnostic device according to an embodiment displaying ultrasound images based on size information about an entity is shown;

[0026] Figure 7 An example of an ultrasound diagnostic device according to an embodiment displaying ultrasound images based on size information about an entity is shown;

[0027] Figure 8 An example of an ultrasound diagnostic device according to an embodiment displaying ultrasound images based on size information about an entity is shown;

[0028] Figure 9 An example of an ultrasound diagnostic device according to an embodiment displaying ultrasound images based on size information about an entity is shown; and

[0029] Figure 10 This is a block diagram showing the configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic device according to an embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0030] Specific exemplary embodiments will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] In the following description, the same reference numerals are used for the same elements, even in different drawings. Content defined in the specification (such as detailed structures and elements) is provided to aid in a comprehensive understanding of the exemplary embodiments. Therefore, it will be apparent that exemplary embodiments may be implemented without those specific definitions. Furthermore, well-known functions or structures are not described in detail because such details would obscure the exemplary embodiments.

[0032] As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any one or more of the associated listed items and all combinations thereof. Expressions such as "at least one of..." modify all listed elements when following them, but not any individual element listed.

[0033] As used herein, terms such as “component” and “part” refer to components and parts that can be implemented by software or hardware. According to exemplary embodiments, multiple components or parts may be implemented by a single unit or a single element, or a single component or part may include multiple elements.

[0034] In an exemplary embodiment, the image may include any medical image acquired by a variety of medical imaging devices such as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device, a computed tomography (CT) device, an ultrasound imaging device, or an X-ray device.

[0035] Furthermore, in this specification, the term "object" as the object to be imaged can include a person, an animal, or a part thereof. For example, an object can include a part of a person (i.e., an organ or tissue) or a phantom.

[0036] Throughout this specification, an ultrasound image refers to an image of an object based on ultrasound signals emitted toward and reflected from the object.

[0037] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic device 100 (i.e., a diagnostic device) according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0038] Reference Figure 1 The ultrasound diagnostic device 100 may include a probe 20, an ultrasound transceiver 110, a controller 120, an image processor 130, one or more displays 140, a memory 150 (e.g., RAM), a communicator 160 (i.e., a communication device or interface), and an input interface 170.

[0039] The ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can be a trolley-type or portable ultrasound diagnostic device, which is portable, mobile, mobile, or handheld. Examples of portable ultrasound diagnostic devices 100 may include smartphones, laptops, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and tablet computers (PCs), each of which may include probes and software applications, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0040] The probe 20 may include multiple transducers. The multiple transducers may transmit ultrasonic signals toward the object 10 in response to transmitting signals received by the probe 20 from the transmitter 113. The multiple transducers may receive ultrasonic signals reflected from the object 10 to generate a received signal. Furthermore, the probe 20 and the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 may be formed integrally (e.g., disposed in a single housing), or the probe 20 and the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 may be formed separately (e.g., disposed separately in separate housings), but may be wirelessly connected or connected via cables. Additionally, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 may include one or more probes 20 according to an embodiment.

[0041] The controller 120 can control the transmitter 113 to generate a transmission signal to be applied to each of the multiple transducers based on the position and focus of the multiple transducers included in the probe 20.

[0042] The controller 120 can control the receiver 115 to generate ultrasound data by converting the received signals from the probe 20 from analog signals to digital signals and merging the received signals in digital form based on the position and focus of multiple transducers.

[0043] The image processor 130 can generate ultrasound images using ultrasound data generated from the receiver 115.

[0044] The display 140 can display generated ultrasound images and multiple pieces of information processed by the ultrasound diagnostic device 100. According to this exemplary embodiment, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 may include two or more displays 140. The display 140 may include a touchscreen combined with a touch panel.

[0045] The controller 120 controls the operation of the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 and the signal flow between the internal components of the ultrasound diagnostic device 100. The controller 120 may include a memory for storing programs or data that perform the functions of the ultrasound diagnostic device 100, and a processor and / or microprocessor (not shown) for processing the programs or data. For example, the controller 120 may control the operation of the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 by receiving control signals from an input interface 170 or an external device.

[0046] The ultrasound diagnostic device 100 may include a communicator 160 and may be connected to external devices, such as servers, medical devices, and portable devices such as smartphones, tablet PCs, wearable devices, etc.

[0047] The communicator 160 may include at least one element capable of communicating with external devices. For example, the communicator 160 may include at least one of a short-range communication module, a wired communication module, and a wireless communication module.

[0048] The communicator 160 can receive control signals and data from external devices and send the received control signals to the controller 120, so that the controller 120 can control the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 in response to the received control signals.

[0049] The controller 120 can send control signals to external devices via the communicator 160, so that the external devices can be controlled in response to the control signals of the controller 120.

[0050] For example, an external device connected to the ultrasound diagnostic equipment 100 can process data from the external device in response to control signals received via the controller 120 through the communicator 160.

[0051] The program for controlling the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can be installed in an external device. The program may include a command language to perform some or all operations of the controller 120.

[0052] The program may be pre-installed on an external device, or it may be installed by a user of the external device by downloading the program from the server providing the application. The server providing the application may include a recording medium storing the program.

[0053] The memory 150 can store various data or programs, input and / or output ultrasound data, ultrasound images, applications, etc., used to drive and control the ultrasound diagnostic device 100.

[0054] Input interface 170 can receive user input to control ultrasound diagnostic device 100, and may include a keyboard, buttons, keypad, mouse, trackball, toggle switch, knob, touchpad, touch screen, microphone, motion input tool, biometric input tool, etc. For example, user input may include input for manipulating buttons, keypad, mouse, trackball, toggle switch or knob, input for touching touchpad or touch screen, voice input, motion input, and biometric input (e.g., iris recognition or fingerprint recognition), but exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0055] The following reference Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 2C An example of an ultrasound diagnostic device 100 according to this exemplary embodiment is described.

[0056] Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 2C This is a diagram illustrating an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0057] Reference Figure 2A and Figure 2BThe ultrasound diagnostic device 100 may include a main display 121 and a sub-display 122. At least one of the main display 121 and the sub-display 122 may include a touchscreen. The main display 121 and the sub-display 122 may display ultrasound images and / or various information processed by the ultrasound diagnostic device 100. The main display 121 and the sub-display 122 may provide a graphical user interface (GUI) to receive user data input to control the ultrasound diagnostic device 100. For example, the main display 121 may display ultrasound images, and the sub-display 122 may display a control panel as a GUI to control the display of ultrasound images. The sub-display 122 may receive data input through the control panel displayed as a GUI to control the display of images. The ultrasound diagnostic device 100 may control the display of ultrasound images on the main display 121 by using the input control data.

[0058] Reference Figure 2B The ultrasound diagnostic device 100 may include a control panel 165. The control panel 165 may include buttons, a trackball, toggle switches, or knobs, and may receive data from the user to control the ultrasound diagnostic device 100. For example, the control panel 165 may include a Time Gain Compensation (TGC) button 171 and a Freeze button 172. The TGC button 171 is used to set a TGC value for each depth of the ultrasound image. Furthermore, when input to the Freeze button 172 is detected during a scan of the ultrasound image, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 may hold the displayed frame image at that point in time.

[0059] The buttons, trackball, toggle switches, and knobs included in the control panel 165 can be provided as a GUI to the main display 121 or the sub-display 122.

[0060] Reference Figure 2C The ultrasound diagnostic device 100 may include a portable device. Examples of the portable ultrasound diagnostic device 100 may include, for example, a smartphone, laptop computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), or tablet PC that includes a probe and an application, but exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0061] The ultrasound diagnostic device 100 may include a probe 20 and a body 40. The probe 20 may be connected to one side of the body 40 via cable or wirelessly. The body 40 may include a touch screen 145. The touch screen 145 may display ultrasound images, multiple pieces of information processed by the ultrasound diagnostic device 100, and a GUI.

[0062] Figure 3 This is a flowchart of the operation method of the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 according to an embodiment.

[0063] According to an embodiment, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can transmit ultrasound signals to a subject, acquire ultrasound data based on echo signals received from the subject, and generate multiple ultrasound images of the subject based on the ultrasound data (S310). For example, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can acquire brightness (B)-mode data about the subject based on the echo signals. The ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can then generate a B-mode ultrasound image based on the B-mode data and display the generated B-mode ultrasound image. The ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can extract B-mode components from the ultrasound data and generate a B-mode ultrasound image in which signal intensity is represented as brightness based on the extracted B-mode components.

[0064] According to an embodiment, the ultrasound probe 20 for receiving echo signals from an object can be a 2D probe having a plurality of transducers arranged in a 1D configuration. Furthermore, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can generate a plurality of consecutive ultrasound images based on the echo signals acquired as the ultrasound probe 20 scans the object along a first direction. Reference will be made below. Figure 4 In detail, ultrasound images can represent a cross-section of an object perpendicular to a first direction.

[0065] According to an embodiment, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can detect a first entity and a second entity from among a plurality of entities included in an object in each ultrasound image (S320).

[0066] According to embodiments, the object may include a body part that needs to be examined for gynecological diseases (e.g., a woman's lower abdomen). More specifically, according to embodiments, the object may be an ovary comprising multiple follicles, but is not limited thereto. Furthermore, according to embodiments, each of the first and second entities may include a follicle.

[0067] According to an embodiment, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can detect a first entity and a second entity in each ultrasound image by using object tracking methods or the like. For example, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can detect multiple entities (e.g., follicles) included in the first ultrasound image by segmenting the first ultrasound image. The ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can segment the first ultrasound image into multiple regions based on pixel values ​​in the first ultrasound image, and each region can consist of a set of pixels having pixel values ​​within a predetermined range. Each region can be a set of pixels corresponding to a follicle. The ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can assign labels to each region to distinguish the regions from each other.

[0068] Furthermore, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can detect multiple entities (e.g., follicles) included in the second ultrasound image by segmenting the second ultrasound image in the same manner as for the first ultrasound image.

[0069] According to an embodiment, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can match each entity detected in a first ultrasound image with a corresponding entity detected in a second ultrasound image. For example, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can identify an entity from the entities detected in the second ultrasound image that is identical to a first entity (e.g., a first follicle) detected in the first ultrasound image based on information about the size, position, and orientation of each entity detected in each of the first and second ultrasound images, the distance of each entity from other entities, and the angle of each entity relative to other entities. Furthermore, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can identify an entity from the entities detected in the second ultrasound image that is identical to a second entity (e.g., a second follicle) detected in the first ultrasound image based on the same information described above.

[0070] According to an embodiment, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can obtain multiple dimensional information about the first entity and the second entity respectively from each ultrasound image in the ultrasound images (S330).

[0071] For example, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can acquire at least one of the minor axis length, major axis length, area, radius, diameter, and perimeter of an entity identified as a first entity in each ultrasound image. Furthermore, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can acquire at least one of the minor axis length, major axis length, area, radius, diameter, and perimeter of an entity identified as a second entity in each ultrasound image.

[0072] According to an embodiment, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can display a first ultrasound image showing the maximum size of the first entity and a second ultrasound image showing the maximum size of the second entity based on multiple size information about the first entity and the second entity respectively obtained from each ultrasound image in the ultrasound images (S340).

[0073] Furthermore, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can display dimensional information about a first entity in a first ultrasound image and dimensional information about a second entity in a second ultrasound image.

[0074] Figure 4 This is a reference diagram used to describe a method for generating multiple ultrasound images by an ultrasound diagnostic device 100 according to an embodiment.

[0075] Reference Figure 4 According to an embodiment, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can acquire ultrasound data by scanning an object using an ultrasound probe 20 having a plurality of transducers arranged in 1D.

[0076] like Figure 4As shown, ultrasound data can be represented as volumetric data 410. The axial direction defined in the ultrasound data indicates the propagation direction of the ultrasound signal relative to the transducer of the ultrasound probe 20, the transverse direction indicates the direction of motion of the scan line, and the longitudinal direction indicates the depth direction (i.e., the direction of motion of the ultrasound probe 20). In other words, volumetric data 410 can be generated based on the echo signal acquired as the ultrasound probe 20 scans the object along a first direction (longitudinal direction) 430. Furthermore, the first direction 430 indicates the direction of motion of the frame (i.e., the scan plane). According to an embodiment, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can acquire volumetric data about an object without using a 3D probe.

[0077] Furthermore, the orthogonal slices in the volume data 410 represent slice 412 corresponding to the sagittal view, slice 414 corresponding to the coronal view, and slice 416 corresponding to the axial view.

[0078] According to an embodiment, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can generate a plurality of ultrasound images 420 from volume data 410 based on ultrasound data corresponding to slices (e.g., sagittal views) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the ultrasound images 420 being arranged continuously in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can store the generated ultrasound images 420.

[0079] Figure 5 This is a reference diagram used to describe a method for detecting a first entity and a second entity in a plurality of ultrasound images by an ultrasound diagnostic device 100 according to an embodiment.

[0080] Reference Figure 5 According to an embodiment, the object may include multiple entities. For example, according to an embodiment, the object may be an ovary comprising multiple follicles. Thus, each of a plurality of ultrasound images acquired by scanning the object (e.g., the ovary) may have multiple follicles shown therein.

[0081] According to an embodiment, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can detect multiple follicles in each of a plurality of ultrasound images (i.e., a first ultrasound image 510, a second ultrasound image 520, a third ultrasound image 530, a fourth ultrasound image 540, and a fifth ultrasound image 550). For example, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can segment the first ultrasound image 510 into multiple regions. In this case, each region may consist of a set of pixels having pixel values ​​within a predetermined range. Each region may be a set of pixels corresponding to a follicle, and the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can identify multiple entities in the first ultrasound image 510, including a first entity 501 and a second entity 502. Furthermore, according to an embodiment, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 may use a trained neural network to perform segmentation.

[0082] Additionally, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can segment the second ultrasound image 520 in the same manner as it does the first ultrasound image 510 to detect multiple entities in the second ultrasound image 520, including the first entity 501 and the second entity 502.

[0083] According to an embodiment, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can match each entity detected in the first ultrasound image 510 with the corresponding entity detected in the second ultrasound image 520.

[0084] For example, ultrasound diagnostic equipment 100 can identify from the entities detected in the second ultrasound image 520 the same entity as the first entity 501 (e.g., the first follicle) detected in the first ultrasound image 510.

[0085] The ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can match a first entity 501 in the first ultrasound image 510 with a first entity 501 in the second ultrasound image 520 based on multiple pieces of information regarding the size, position, and orientation of each entity in the first ultrasound image 510, the distance of each entity from other entities, and the angle of each entity relative to other entities, and also based on multiple pieces of information regarding the size, position, and orientation of each entity in the second ultrasound image 520, the distance of each entity from other entities, and the angle of each entity relative to other entities. Furthermore, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can match a second entity 502 in the first ultrasound image 510 with a second entity 502 in the second ultrasound image 520.

[0086] Therefore, according to the embodiment, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can detect the first entity 501 and the second entity 502 in each of the first ultrasound image 510, the second ultrasound image 520, the third ultrasound image 530, the fourth ultrasound image 540 and the fifth ultrasound image 550.

[0087] According to an embodiment, when a first entity 501 and a second entity 502 are detected in each of the first ultrasound image 510, the second ultrasound image 520, the third ultrasound image 530, the fourth ultrasound image 540, and the fifth ultrasound image 550, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can obtain multiple pieces of size information about the first entity 501 and the second entity 502 respectively from each of the first ultrasound image 510, the second ultrasound image 520, the third ultrasound image 530, the fourth ultrasound image 540, and the fifth ultrasound image 550.

[0088] For example, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can acquire at least one of the minor axis length, major axis length, area, radius, diameter, and perimeter of the first entity 501 in the first ultrasound image 510 as first dimensional information about the first entity 501. Furthermore, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can acquire at least one of the minor axis length, major axis length, area, radius, diameter, and perimeter of the first entity 501 in the second ultrasound image 520 as second dimensional information about the first entity 501, and can also acquire a third dimensional information about the first entity 501 in the third ultrasound image 530, a fourth dimensional information about the first entity 501 in the fourth ultrasound image 540, and a fifth dimensional information about the first entity 501 in the fifth ultrasound image 550.

[0089] In this case, the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth dimension information of the first entity 501 can be values ​​of the same parameter. For example, the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth dimension information can all be values ​​of the minor axis length of the first entity 501, or values ​​of the area of ​​the first entity 501.

[0090] The ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can compare the first, second, third, fourth and fifth dimension information about the first entity 501 with each other, and determine the ultrasound image (e.g., the third ultrasound image 530) in which the dimension of the first entity 501 (e.g., the major axis length) is shown as the largest as the ultrasound image corresponding to the first entity 501.

[0091] Furthermore, in the same manner as for the first entity 501, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can acquire at least one of the minor axis length, major axis length, area, radius, diameter, and perimeter of the second entity 502 in the first ultrasound image 510 as first dimensional information about the second entity 502. Additionally, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can acquire at least one of the minor axis length, major axis length, area, radius, diameter, and perimeter of the second entity 502 in the second ultrasound image 520 as second dimensional information about the second entity 502, and can also acquire a third dimensional information about the second entity 502 in the third ultrasound image 530, a fourth dimensional information about the second entity 502 in the fourth ultrasound image 540, and a fifth dimensional information about the second entity 502 in the fifth ultrasound image 550. In this case, the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth dimensional information about the second entity 502 can be values ​​of the same parameters. Furthermore, the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth dimension information have the same parameter values ​​as the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth dimension information of the first entity 501.

[0092] The ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can compare the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth dimensional information about the second entity 502 with each other and determine the ultrasound image (e.g., the fourth ultrasound image 540) in which the dimensional information of the second entity 502 (e.g., the major axis length) is shown as the largest as the ultrasound image corresponding to the second entity 502.

[0093] although Figure 5 Multiple ultrasound images are shown as including five ultrasound images, but this is for ease of description and ultrasound images may include a greater number of ultrasound images.

[0094] Figure 6 An example is shown of an ultrasound diagnostic device 100 according to an embodiment displaying ultrasound images based on size information about an entity.

[0095] Reference Figure 6 According to an embodiment, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can display a plurality of consecutive ultrasound images 610 of an object in a first region 631 of the display 140. The ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can generate and display the consecutive ultrasound images 610 based on echo signals acquired as the ultrasound probe 20 scans the object along a first direction. In this case, the consecutive ultrasound images 610 can be ultrasound images representing a cross-section of the object perpendicular to the first direction.

[0096] According to an embodiment, an object may include multiple entities, and each ultrasound image in ultrasound image 610 may include said entities. Ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can identify entities in each ultrasound image in ultrasound image 610 and acquire multiple pieces of size information respectively regarding the entities in each ultrasound image in ultrasound image 610. For example, when an object (e.g., an ovary) includes a first entity 601, a second entity 602, a third entity 603, and a fourth entity 604 (e.g., a first follicle, a second follicle, a third follicle, and a fourth follicle), ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can acquire multiple pieces of size information respectively regarding the first entity 601, the second entity 602, the third entity 603, and the fourth entity 604 in each ultrasound image in ultrasound image 610. The above has already addressed... Figure 5 The description of the method for obtaining multiple dimension information about an entity is provided, so it will not be repeated below.

[0097] According to an embodiment, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can display, in a second region 632 of the display 140, an ultrasound image from the ultrasound image 610 showing the maximum size of the first entity 601, the second entity 602, the third entity 603, and the fourth entity 604, respectively, based on multiple size information about the first entity 601, the second entity 602, the third entity 603, and the fourth entity 604.

[0098] For example, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can display a first ultrasound image 611, showing the maximum size of the first entity 601 (e.g., the first follicle), from the ultrasound image 610 in a second region 632 based on multiple dimensional information regarding the first entity 601, the second entity 602, the third entity 603, and the fourth entity 604, respectively. In this case, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can display the first entity 601 (i.e., the first follicle) included in the first ultrasound image 611 to distinguish it from other follicles. The boundary of the first entity 601, which is the first follicle, can be highlighted by a thick solid line. In addition, dimensional information about the first follicle (e.g., "major axis length: 10.5 mm") can be displayed.

[0099] Furthermore, in the same manner as for the first entity 601, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can display a second ultrasound image 612 in the second region 632, showing the maximum size of the second entity 602 (i.e., the second follicle) from the ultrasound image 610, such that the second entity 602 (i.e., the second follicle) can be identified in the second ultrasound image 612, and the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can display size information about the second follicle together with the second ultrasound image 612. Additionally, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can display in the second region 632 a third ultrasound image 613 showing the maximum size of the third entity 603 (i.e., the third follicle) and a fourth ultrasound image 614 showing the maximum size of the fourth entity 604 (i.e., the fourth follicle) from the ultrasound image 610.

[0100] Furthermore, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can display first ultrasound image 611, second ultrasound image 612, third ultrasound image 613, and fourth ultrasound image 614 in descending order of size based on multiple size information of the first entity 601, second entity 602, third entity 603, and fourth entity 604 (i.e., first follicle, second follicle, third follicle, and fourth follicle). For example, when the size decreases in the order of first entity (follicle) 601, fourth entity (follicle) 604, second entity (follicle) 602, and third entity (follicle) 603, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can display first ultrasound image 611, fourth ultrasound image 614, second ultrasound image 612, and third ultrasound image 613 in the second region 632 in the stated order, but is not limited thereto.

[0101] Figure 7 An example is shown of an ultrasound diagnostic device 100 according to an embodiment displaying ultrasound images based on size information about an entity.

[0102] Reference Figure 7 According to an embodiment, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can display multiple ultrasound images 710 in a first area 731 of the display 140 and acquire multiple dimensional information about multiple entities in each ultrasound image 710. For example, when an object (e.g., an ovary) includes a first entity 701, a second entity 702, a third entity 703, and a fourth entity 704 (e.g., a first follicle, a second follicle, a third follicle, and a fourth follicle), the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can acquire multiple dimensional information about the first entity 701, the second entity 702, the third entity 703, and the fourth entity 704 respectively in each ultrasound image 710. The above has already addressed... Figure 5 The method for obtaining multiple dimensional information about an entity is described in detail, so it will not be repeated below.

[0103] It can display an ultrasound image corresponding to the entity with the largest size from multiple entities based on multiple size information about the entity.

[0104] For example, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can determine the maximum size (first size) of the first entity 701 based on multiple size information about the first entity 701 obtained from the ultrasound image 710, determine the maximum size (second size) of the second entity 702 based on multiple size information about the second entity 702 obtained from the ultrasound image 710, determine the maximum size (third size) of the third entity 703 based on multiple size information about the third entity 703 obtained from the ultrasound image 710, and determine the maximum size (fourth size) of the fourth entity 704 based on multiple size information about the fourth entity 704 obtained from the ultrasound image 710.

[0105] The ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can determine the largest size from a first size, a second size, a third size, and a fourth size, and display an ultrasound image corresponding to the largest size in a second region 732 of the display 140. For example, when the second size is the largest among the first size, second size, third size, and fourth size, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can display a second ultrasound image 712 in the second region 732 in which the size of the second entity 702 is shown as the largest. Furthermore, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can display the second entity 702 identified in the second ultrasound image 712, along with size information 750 regarding the second entity 702.

[0106] Figure 8 An example is shown of an ultrasound diagnostic device 100 according to an embodiment displaying ultrasound images based on size information about an entity.

[0107] Reference Figure 8 According to an embodiment, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can display multiple ultrasound images 810 in a first area 831 of the display 140 and acquire multiple dimensional information about multiple entities. For example, when an object (e.g., an ovary) includes a first entity, a second entity, a third entity, and a fourth entity (e.g., a first follicle, a second follicle, a third follicle, and a fourth follicle), the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can display multiple dimensional information about the first entity, the second entity, the third entity, and the fourth entity from each ultrasound image in the ultrasound images 810. The above has already addressed... Figure 5 The description of the method for obtaining multiple dimension information about an entity is provided, so it will not be repeated below.

[0108] According to an embodiment, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 may set the number 840 of entities from a plurality of entities whose size information will be displayed. For example, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 may receive user input to set the number of entities and set the number 840 of entities whose size information will be displayed.

[0109] For example, such as Figure 8 As shown, when the number of entities 840 is set to "3" based on user input, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can identify three (3) entities with three maximum dimensions from among the multiple entities included in the object, and display ultrasound images corresponding to the three entities respectively, as well as multiple dimension information about the three entities. The ultrasound diagnostic device 100 may not display all ultrasound images corresponding to the first, second, third, and fourth entities respectively in the second area 832 of the display 140, but only display three ultrasound images 811 to 813 corresponding to the three maximum entities respectively. Furthermore, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 may display the entity corresponding to each of the three ultrasound images 811 to 813 to distinguish it from other entities, and display dimension information about the entity.

[0110] In addition, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can magnify and display in the third region 833 the second ultrasound image 812, which corresponds to the second entity 802 with the largest size, from the three ultrasound images 811 to 813 displayed in the second region 832.

[0111] Optionally, when receiving user input to select one of the three ultrasound images 811 to 813 to be displayed in the second region 832, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 may magnify the selected ultrasound image and display it in the third region 833. However, the embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0112] Figure 9 An example is shown of an ultrasound diagnostic device 100 according to an embodiment displaying ultrasound images based on size information about an entity.

[0113] Reference Figure 9 According to an embodiment, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can acquire multiple dimensional information about multiple entities from each of a plurality of ultrasound images. For example, when the object (ovary) includes a first follicle 901, a second follicle 902, and a third follicle 903, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can acquire information about at least one of the minor axis length, major axis length, area, radius, diameter, and circumference of each of the first follicle 901, the second follicle 902, and the third follicle 903 from each of the plurality of ultrasound images. However, for convenience, refer to... Figure 9 Describe an example of obtaining information about the diameter of each of the first follicle 901, the second follicle 902, and the third follicle 903.

[0114] The ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can display a first indicator 931 corresponding to the first follicle 901 by using multiple pieces of information about the diameter of the first follicle 901 obtained from ultrasound images.

[0115] For example, as referenced Figure 4 As described, when an ultrasound image corresponds to a slice (sagittal view) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (first direction), the slice 930 displaying the first indicator 931 can be a slice corresponding to either a coronal view or an axial view. The shape of the first indicator 931 can be determined based on the length of the diameter of the first follicle 901 obtained from the ultrasound image. Furthermore, multiple pieces of information regarding the diameter of the second follicle 902 obtained from the ultrasound image can be used to display a second indicator 932 corresponding to the second follicle 902, and the shape of the second indicator 932 can be determined based on the length of the diameter of the second follicle 902 obtained from the ultrasound image.

[0116] Furthermore, multiple pieces of information about the diameter of the third follicle 903 obtained from ultrasound images can be used to display the third indicator 933 corresponding to the third follicle 903, and the shape of the third indicator 933 can be determined based on the length of the diameter of the third follicle 903 obtained from ultrasound images.

[0117] According to an embodiment, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can detect the relative position or size of each follicle in the first follicle 901, the second follicle 902, and the third follicle 903 in the sagittal view direction based on ultrasound images, and when the first indicator 931, the second indicator 932, and the third indicator 933 are indicated on the slice 930, the user can identify the overall relative position or size of each follicle in the first follicle 901, the second follicle 902, and the third follicle 903 in the coronal view direction or the axial view direction.

[0118] Furthermore, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can display lines (i.e., a first line L1, a second line L2, and a third line L3, which respectively indicate the location of the maximum diameter length measured in the first follicle 901, the second follicle 902, and the third follicle 903). For example, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can display the first line L1 indicating the location of the maximum diameter length measured in the first follicle 901, the second line L2 indicating the location of the maximum diameter length measured in the second follicle 902, and the third line L3 indicating the location of the maximum diameter length measured in the third follicle 903.

[0119] The ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can display an ultrasound image corresponding to one of the first line L1, the second line L2, and the third line L3. For example, when receiving user input selecting the second line L2 or selecting the second follicle 902, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can display a second ultrasound image 912 in which the measured diameter of the second follicle 902 is shown as the largest. Furthermore, the first follicle 901, the second follicle 902, and the third follicle 903 can be displayed in the second ultrasound image 912 for identification, and size information regarding the second follicle 902 (e.g., the diameter of the second follicle 902) can be displayed.

[0120] Figure 10 This is a block diagram of the configuration of the ultrasound diagnostic device 1000 according to an embodiment.

[0121] Reference Figure 10 According to an embodiment, the ultrasound diagnostic device 1000 may include a processor 1020, a memory 1030, and a display 1040.

[0122] Figure 10 The processor 1020 can be compared with the reference Figure 1 The description corresponds to at least one or a combination of the ultrasonic transceiver 110, controller 120, and image processor 130, and the display 1040 is compatible with... Figure 1 The display 140 corresponds to this. Furthermore, according to an embodiment, some components of the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 may be included in... Figure 10 Among the 1000 ultrasound diagnostic devices.

[0123] According to an embodiment, processor 1020 can control all operations of ultrasound diagnostic device 1000. According to an embodiment, processor 1020 can execute one or more programs stored in memory 1030.

[0124] According to an embodiment, memory 1030 may store various data, programs, or applications for driving and controlling the ultrasound diagnostic device 1000. A program stored in memory 1030 may include one or more instructions. The program (one or more instructions) or application stored in memory 1030 may be executed by processor 1020.

[0125] According to an embodiment, the processor 1020 can transmit ultrasound signals to an object, acquire ultrasound data based on echo signals received from the object, and generate multiple ultrasound images of the object based on the ultrasound data. In this case, the ultrasound probe used to receive echo signals from the object can be a 2D probe having multiple transducers arranged in a 1D configuration. Furthermore, the ultrasound diagnostic device 1000 can generate multiple consecutive ultrasound images based on echo signals acquired as the ultrasound probe scans the object along a first direction. The ultrasound images can be ultrasound images representing a cross-section of the object perpendicular to the first direction.

[0126] The processor 1020 can detect multiple entities included in an object in each ultrasound image.

[0127] For example, processor 1020 can detect multiple entities in each ultrasound image by using object tracking methods or the like. Processor 1020 can segment a first ultrasound image to detect multiple entities (e.g., follicles) included in the first ultrasound image. Furthermore, processor 1020 can segment a second ultrasound image to detect entities (e.g., follicles) included in the second ultrasound image. According to an embodiment, processor 1020 can match each entity detected in the first ultrasound image with a corresponding entity detected in the second ultrasound image based on information about the size, position, and orientation of each entity among the entities detected in each ultrasound image in the first and second ultrasound images, the distance of each entity from other entities, and the angle of each entity relative to other entities.

[0128] The processor 1020 can acquire multiple dimensional information about an entity from each ultrasound image. For example, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can acquire at least one of the minor axis length, major axis length, area, radius, diameter, and perimeter of an entity identified as a first entity in each ultrasound image. Furthermore, the processor 1020 can acquire at least one of the minor axis length, major axis length, area, radius, diameter, and perimeter of an entity identified as a second entity in each ultrasound image.

[0129] The processor 1020 can control the display 1040 to display a first ultrasound image showing the maximum size of the first entity and a second ultrasound image showing the maximum size of the second entity based on multiple size information obtained from each ultrasound image in the ultrasound images, respectively, regarding the first entity and the second entity.

[0130] According to an embodiment, the display 1040 may display the operating status of the ultrasound diagnostic device 1000, ultrasound images, user interface, etc. The display 1040 may include one or more display panels according to an embodiment and may be configured as a touch screen.

[0131] According to an embodiment, the display 1040 may display a first ultrasound image showing the maximum size of a first entity and a second ultrasound image showing the maximum size of a second entity, and display size information about the first entity in the first ultrasound image and size information about the second entity in the second ultrasound image.

[0132] Available Figure 1 Ultrasound diagnostic equipment 100 and Figure 10A block diagram of an ultrasound diagnostic device 1000 is provided for illustrative purposes. Each component in the block diagram may be integrated, added, or omitted depending on the specifications of the actual implemented ultrasound diagnostic device 100 or ultrasound diagnostic device 1000. In other words, two or more components may be combined into a single component if desired, or a single component may be split into two or more components. The functions performed in each block are intended to describe the embodiments, and the specific operations or devices associated with the functions do not limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0133] Methods for operating ultrasound diagnostic equipment can be implemented in the form of program instructions executable by various types of computers and recordable on a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium may include program instructions, data files, data structures, etc., individually or in combination. The program instructions recorded on the computer-readable recording medium may be specifically designed and configured for this disclosure, or may be known and usable by those skilled in the art of computer software. Examples of computer-readable recording media include magnetic media (such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tapes), optical media (such as optical disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) and digital versatile discs (DVDs)), magneto-optical media (such as floppy disks), and hardware devices specifically configured to store and execute program instructions (such as ROM, random access memory (RAM), flash memory, etc.). Examples of program instructions include not only machine code created by a compiler, but also higher-level language code executable by a computer using an interpreter, etc.

[0134] Furthermore, when providing a method of operating an ultrasound diagnostic device according to embodiments of this disclosure, it may be included in a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded as a commodity between a seller and a buyer.

[0135] Computer program products may include software programs and computer-readable storage media on which the software programs are stored. For example, computer program products may be manufactured by manufacturers of ultrasound diagnostic equipment or distributed through electronic marketplaces (e.g., Google Play Store). TM and the App Store TM Products distributed electronically in the form of software programs (e.g., downloadable applications). For such electronic distributions, at least a portion of the software program may be stored on a storage medium or may be temporarily generated. In this case, the storage medium may be the storage medium of a manufacturer's server, the storage medium of an electronic marketplace server, or the storage medium of a relay server used for temporary storage of the software program.

[0136] In a system consisting of a server and client devices, the computer program product may include the storage medium of the server or the storage medium of the client device. Optionally, when a third device (e.g., a smartphone) is connected to the server or client device via a communication network, the computer program product may include the storage medium of the third device. Optionally, the computer program product may include the software program itself sent from the server to the client device or the third device, or sent from the third device to the client device.

[0137] In this configuration, one of the server, client, and third devices is an executable computer program product that performs the method according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Alternatively, two or more executable computer program products are used to perform the method according to embodiments in a distributed manner.

[0138] For example, a server (e.g., a cloud server, an artificial intelligence server, etc.) may run a computer program product stored therein to control a client device communicating with the server to perform a method according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0139] According to an embodiment, dimensional information about the entities included in an object can be easily and accurately obtained without using a 3D probe.

[0140] According to an embodiment, dimensional information about the entities included in an object can be obtained by considering the overall volume of the object without using a 3D probe.

[0141] According to an embodiment, the ultrasound diagnostic device is configured to detect at least one entity included in an object and display an ultrasound image showing the maximum size of the detected entity, thereby eliminating the need for the user to individually measure and remember the size of at least one entity included in the object in each of a plurality of 2D ultrasound images.

[0142] Although one or more embodiments have been specifically described with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments should not be construed as limiting the scope of this disclosure, and that various changes and modifications in form and detail based on the basic concept of this disclosure also fall within the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An ultrasound diagnostic device, comprising: monitor; Memory, which stores one or more instructions; as well as The processor is configured to execute one or more instructions stored in the memory to perform the following operations: Multiple ultrasound images of an object are generated based on echo signals received from an object comprising multiple entities, the multiple ultrasound images being consecutive ultrasound images acquired as an ultrasound probe scans the object along a first direction; The system detects the first and second entities in each of the multiple ultrasound images by identifying entities identical to a first entity included in each of the multiple ultrasound images based on the position and orientation of each entity included in each of the multiple ultrasound images, and by identifying entities identical to a second entity included in each of the multiple ultrasound images that is different from the first entity based on the position and orientation of each entity included in each of the multiple ultrasound images. Obtain size information about the detected first entity and size information about the detected second entity from each of the plurality of ultrasound images; The display is controlled to show a first indicator corresponding to a first entity represented in another plane perpendicular to the plurality of ultrasound images and a second indicator corresponding to a second entity represented in the other plane, wherein the shape of the first indicator is determined based on the size information of the first entity obtained from each of the plurality of ultrasound images, and the shape of the second indicator is determined based on the size information of the second entity obtained from each of the plurality of ultrasound images. Based on the selection of a first indicator, and based on size information about the first entity, the display is controlled to show a first ultrasound image, which indicates the largest size of the first entity, from among the plurality of ultrasound images; and Based on the selection of the second indicator, the display is controlled to show the second ultrasound image, which shows the largest size of the second entity, from among the plurality of ultrasound images, based on the size information about the second entity.

2. The ultrasound diagnostic device according to claim 1, further comprising: A two-dimensional probe is configured to emit ultrasonic signals toward an object and receive echo signals from the object.

3. The ultrasound diagnostic device according to claim 1, wherein, The dimensional information regarding the first entity includes at least one of the following: minor axis length, major axis length, area, radius, diameter, and perimeter of the first entity detected in each of the plurality of ultrasound images. The dimensional information about the second entity includes at least one of the following: minor axis length, major axis length, area, radius, diameter, and perimeter of the second entity detected in each of the plurality of ultrasound images.

4. The ultrasound diagnostic device according to claim 1, wherein, The processor is also configured to execute one or more instructions to perform the following operations: Detect multiple entities in each of the plurality of ultrasound images; Obtain multiple size information items for each of the multiple entities; Based on multiple size information about the plurality of entities, a third entity with the largest size is determined from among the plurality of entities; as well as The display is controlled to show the third ultrasound image, which shows the largest size of the third entity, from among the plurality of ultrasound images.

5. The ultrasound diagnostic device according to claim 1, wherein, The processor is also configured to execute one or more instructions to perform the following operations: Detect multiple entities in each of the plurality of ultrasound images and the dimensions of the plurality of entities; Based on the dimensions of the plurality of entities, the ultrasound images showing the maximum dimensions of the plurality of entities are determined as the ultrasound images corresponding to the plurality of entities respectively; as well as The display is controlled to show ultrasound images corresponding to a predetermined number of entities from the plurality of entities in descending order of size.

6. The ultrasound diagnostic device according to claim 5, further comprising: The user input interface is configured to receive the predetermined number.

7. The ultrasound diagnostic device according to claim 1, wherein, The processor is also configured to execute one or more instructions to perform the following operations: The display is controlled to show size information about a first entity included in a first ultrasound image and size information about a second entity included in a second ultrasound image.

8. The ultrasound diagnostic device according to claim 1, wherein, The object is an ovary, and the plurality of entities include the follicles contained within the ovary.

9. A method for operating an ultrasound diagnostic device, the method comprising: Based on echo signals received from an object comprising multiple entities, multiple ultrasound images of the object are generated, the multiple ultrasound images being consecutive ultrasound images acquired as an ultrasound probe scans the object along a first direction; The system detects the first and second entities in each of the multiple ultrasound images by identifying entities identical to a first entity included in each of the multiple ultrasound images based on the position and orientation of each entity included in each of the multiple ultrasound images, and by identifying entities identical to a second entity included in each of the multiple ultrasound images that is different from the first entity based on the position and orientation of each entity included in each of the multiple ultrasound images. Obtain size information about the detected first entity and size information about the detected second entity from each of the plurality of ultrasound images; The control display shows a first indicator corresponding to a first entity represented in another plane perpendicular to the plurality of ultrasound images and a second indicator corresponding to a second entity represented in the other plane, wherein the shape of the first indicator is determined based on the size information of the first entity obtained from each of the plurality of ultrasound images, and the shape of the second indicator is determined based on the size information of the second entity obtained from each of the plurality of ultrasound images. Based on the selection of a first indicator, and based on size information about the first entity, the display is controlled to show a first ultrasound image, which indicates the largest size of the first entity, from among the plurality of ultrasound images; and Based on the selection of the second indicator, the display is controlled to show the second ultrasound image, which shows the largest size of the second entity, from among the plurality of ultrasound images, based on the size information about the second entity.

10. The operating method according to claim 9, further comprising: The probe emits ultrasonic signals toward the object and receives echo signals from the object.

11. The operating method according to claim 9, wherein, The dimensional information regarding the first entity includes at least one of the following: minor axis length, major axis length, area, radius, diameter, and perimeter of the first entity detected in each of the plurality of ultrasound images. The dimensional information about the second entity includes at least one of the following: minor axis length, major axis length, area, radius, diameter, and perimeter of the second entity detected in each of the plurality of ultrasound images.

Images