Ultrasound Fetal Growth Prediction Using Cloud Biometric Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for predicting fetal growth rate using ultrasound imaging are limited by outdated gestational age and fetal growth tables that do not account for updated data and geographical variations, leading to low prediction accuracy.

Innovation Solution

An ultrasound imaging apparatus that utilizes a cloud server to receive and update fetal biometric data, allowing for real-time prediction of fetal growth rate based on actual measurements and comprehensive big data analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If pre-compiled GA and fetal growth tables are used for prediction, then the system is simple to operate, but the prediction accuracy is low due to outdated data and limited sample size

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefetal growth prediction accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A cloud server acts as an intermediary between the ultrasound imaging apparatus and the fetal growth prediction system. The cloud server stores and processes large-scale fetal biometric data from multiple sources, performing complex data analysis remotely while the local apparatus only needs to transmit measurement data and receive prediction results, thus improving accuracy without significantly increasing local system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from using static, two-dimensional pre-compiled tables to a dynamic, multi-dimensional cloud-based database that incorporates geographical locations, multiple ultrasound apparatus data, and continuously updated fetal biometric information, enabling more accurate predictions through expanded data dimensions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If pre-compiled tables with limited sample data are used, then the device complexity is low, but the adaptability to different geographical locations and populations is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to geographical variationsVSAvoiddata processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cloud server provides a universal platform that collects and processes fetal biometric data from multiple different ultrasound imaging apparatuses across various geographical locations. This multi-functional system serves diverse populations and regions simultaneously, making the prediction system adaptable to different geographical variations without requiring separate local systems for each region

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where fetal biometric measurement data from ultrasound examinations is continuously transmitted to the cloud server, which then updates and refines the fetal growth prediction models based on accumulated real-world data, enabling the system to adapt and improve over time based on actual observations from different populations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Improves fetal growth prediction accuracy by using up-to-date fetal biometric data from a cloud server, reflecting individual and geographical variations, thereby enhancing the precision of fetal development assessment.

Implementation Method 1

transmit ultrasound signals generated by transducers of a probe to an object and receive information of echo signals reflected from the object

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasound transmission and echo reflection: Ultrasound

Implementation Method 2

receive information of echo signals reflected from the object

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEcho signal reflection: Echo

Data Source

PatentEP3545850B1Ultrasound imaging apparatus for predicting fetal growth rate and method of operating the same
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 SAMSUNG MEDISON CO LTD
  • EP3545850B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3545850B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3545850B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is an ultrasound imaging apparatus for predicting fetal growth rate, including: an ultrasound probe configured to transmit ultrasound signals to a fetus and receive ultrasound echo signals reflected from the fetus; a user inputter configured to receive pregnancy information regarding a patient from a user; a communicator configured to receive, from a cloud server, fetal biometric data related to the pregnancy information regarding the patient from among fetal biometric data prestored and accumulated in the cloud server; and a controller configured to generate an ultrasound image of the fetus by using the ultrasound echo signals, measure a size of a body part of the fetus on the ultrasound image, and predict the fetal growth rate based on the measured size of the body part of the fetus and the fetal biometric data received from the cloud server.