Katherine Ferrera

US Patent:

53906772, Feb 21, 1995

Filed:

May 31, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/251710

Inventors:

Katherine W. Ferrera - New York NY
V. Ralph Algazi - Davis CA

Assignee:

The Regents of The University of California - Oakland CA

International Classification:

A61B 806

US Classification:

12866109

Abstract:

A method for assessing and displaying the true three dimensional magnitude of fluid velocity using ultrasonic imaging signals is disclosed. Fluid, such as blood, flowing through a vessel is subjected to ultrasound imaging signals using a transducer. Axial velocity of fluid motion in relation to the transducer beam is then determined from the imaging signals. Next, a region of laminar flow is identified using the axial velocity. Lateral transit time in the region of laminar flow is then estimated as an indication of velocity in the direction perpendicular to the transducer beam. The three dimensional velocity magnitude is then estimated using the lateral transmit time and the total distance across the lateral beam width, or by using the beam to vessel angle which is estimated using the lateral transit time. The estimated three dimensional velocity is then displayed as a numerical representation or as an image as a two dimensional waveform as a function of time or as a color flow map where the velocity magnitude is represented by different colors and/or intensity of color.