US 10,482,601 B2 · Evaluation of carotid plaque using contrast enhanced ultrasonic imaging

Abstract

An ultrasound system and method are described for acquiring a sequence of ultrasound images of the carotid artery during the delivery of a contrast agent. Plaque in the images is identified and a time-intensity curve is calculated for pixels in the images. The intensity values before and after the arrival of contrast are compared to identify pixels or groups of pixels having perfusion. An anatomical image may be formed showing areas in an image of the plaque of the intensity and presence of perfusion, or the perfusion may be quantified by determining the percentage of pixels in the plaque image which exhibit perfusion. The extent and degree of perfusion is an indicator of the risk of plaque particulates in the blood stream which may lead to stroke-related symptoms.

Claims16

Dependent claims

An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system for the evaluation of plaque by enhanced ultrasound, the system comprising:

an ultrasound imaging probe,
wherein the ultrasound probe comprises an array transducer,
wherein the array transducer is arranged to acquire a sequence of ultrasound images of a plaque region in a carotid artery;
a time intensity curve calculator arranged to form a first plurality of time intensity curves for the plaque region,
wherein the plaque region comprises a plurality of pixels,
wherein the first plurality of time intensity curves includes a time intensity curve for a portion of the plurality of pixels;
a comparator circuit arranged to determine a perfusion, wherein the perfusion is based on a difference of a second plurality of time intensity curves for the plaque region and the first plurality of time intensity curves for the plaque region;
and
a display arranged to display the perfusion in the plaque region.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Evaluation of carotid plaque using contrast enhanced ultrasonic imaging

Life of this patent

Evaluation of carotid plaque using contrast enhanced ultrasonic imaging

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16