Doppler ultrasound signals simulation from vessels with various stenosis degrees

Ultrasonics. 2006 Dec 22:44 Suppl 1:e173-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ultras.2006.06.028. Epub 2006 Jun 30.

Abstract

As a non-invasive method, the Doppler ultrasound technique is used to detect the vessel stenosis. To search for characteristics of Doppler ultrasound signals sensitive to the stenosis, a computer simulation approach is proposed in this paper to generate Doppler ultrasound signals from vessels with various stenosis degrees. The blood flow velocity distribution in a stenosed vessel is firstly calculated using the transient finite element method (FEM). Then the power spectral density of Doppler signals is estimated using the overall-distribution nonparametric estimation method. Finally Doppler signals are generated using the cosine-superposed method. The proposed approach is proved to be useful for simulating Doppler ultrasound signals from vessels with various stenosis degrees. It is also shown that characteristics of Doppler ultrasound signals may be used to estimate the vessel's stenosis degree.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Animals
  • Blood Flow Velocity*
  • Carotid Stenosis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Carotid Stenosis / physiopathology*
  • Computer Simulation
  • Humans
  • Image Enhancement / methods*
  • Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Models, Cardiovascular*
  • Phantoms, Imaging
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler / instrumentation
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler / methods*