Ultrasound color flow adaptive scanning techniques

Details Ultrasound color flow adaptive scanning techniques Ultrasound color flow adaptive scanning techniques

1999-12-21

2001-11-13

Lateef, Marvin M. (Department: 3737)

Surgery

Diagnostic testing

Detecting nuclear, electromagnetic, or ultrasonic radiation

Reexamination Certificate

active

06315728

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to ultrasound color flow imaging, and more particularly relates to such imaging based on a portion of a subject in which fluid flow is identified.
A conventional ultrasound system typically interleaves B-mode imaging with color flow imaging. The color flow vectors from the color flow imaging are formed over the entire color flow region of interest (ROI) for every acoustic frame. These color flow vectors typically are contained in several interleave groups across the ROI. Every vector position in the color flow ROI is sampled and processed for every acoustic frame before display. As a result, a large amount of processing is required in order to produce a color flow image of the entire region of interest. In addition, a large amount of memory is normally required and a substantial reduction in frame rate may occur. This invention addresses these problems and provides a solution.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The preferred embodiment is useful in an ultrasound imaging system for displaying a color flow image representing at least a portion of a subject being studied. In such an environment, the preferred embodiment transmits ultrasound waves toward a first portion of the subject and receives first reflected ultrasound waves from the first portion. The transmitting and receiving preferably are accomplished with a transducer assembly. A first set of signals is generated having first values related to the velocity components of the fluid flow in the first portion of the subject in response to the first reflected ultrasound waves. The first values are analyzed to identify flow data representing a region of fluid flow within the first portion of the subject. The generating and analyzing preferably is accomplished with a processor. Ultrasound waves are transmitted toward a second portion of the subject and second reflected ultrasound waves are received from the second portion such that the second portion of the subject is smaller than the first portion and includes at least some of the region of fluid flow. The transmitting toward the second portion preferably is accomplished with the transducer assembly. A second set of signals is generated having second values related to velocity components of the fluid flow in the second portion of the subject in response to the second reflected ultrasound waves. The second scan values are processed to generate processed color flow data for display as a color flow image. The generating of the second set of signals and the processing preferably are done with the processor. A color flow image is displayed in response to the processed color flow data.
By using the foregoing techniques, the tissue interrogation and/or color flow processing required in a clinical examination may be substantially reduced. A reduction in interrogation and/or processing may be used in various ways to increase the average acoustic frame rate, improve color flow sensitivity and resolution, reduce processing and memory loads and increase color flow regions of interest without unduly sacrificing frame rate.


REFERENCES:
patent: 6210335 (2001-04-01), Miller

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