Real-Time 2-D Phased Array Vector Flow Imaging

IEEE Trans Ultrason Ferroelectr Freq Control. 2018 Jul;65(7):1205-1213. doi: 10.1109/TUFFC.2018.2838518.

Abstract

Echocardiography examination of the blood flow is currently either restricted to 1-D techniques in real-time or experimental offline 2-D methods. This paper presents an implementation of transverse oscillation for real-time 2-D vector flow imaging (VFI) on a commercial BK Ultrasound scanner. A large field-of-view (FOV) sequence for studying flow dynamics at 11 frames per second (fps) and a sequence for studying peak systolic velocities (PSVs) with a narrow FOV at 36 fps were validated. The VFI sequences were validated in a flow rig with continuous laminar parabolic flow and in a pulsating flow pump system before being tested in vivo, where measurements were obtained on two healthy volunteers. Mean PSV from 11 cycles was 155 cms-1 with a precision of ±9.0% for the pulsating flow pump. In vivo, PSV estimated in the ascending aorta was 135 cms-1 ± 16.9% for eight cardiac cycles. Furthermore, in vivo flow dynamics of the left ventricle and in the ascending aorta were visualized. In conclusion, angle independent 2-D VFI on a phased array has been implemented in real time, and it is capable of providing quantitative and qualitative flow evaluations of both the complex and fully transverse flow.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Algorithms
  • Aorta / diagnostic imaging
  • Blood Flow Velocity / physiology*
  • Equipment Design
  • Humans
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional / methods*
  • Male
  • Phantoms, Imaging
  • Ultrasonography / instrumentation
  • Ultrasonography / methods*