Methods and systems for spatial color flow for diagnostic medical imaging

An ultrasound imaging system comprising:

• a matrix array probe configured to acquire ultrasound data of a patient;
• a memory configured to store programmed instructions;
• and
• one or more processors configured to execute the programmed instructions stored in the memory, wherein the one or more processors when executing the programmed instructions perform the following operations:
• acquire ultrasound data along a first two-dimensional (2D) plane and a second 2D plane from the matrix array probe for a region of interest (ROI), wherein the first 2D plane is orthogonal to the second 2D plane;
• calculate a first flow velocity within the ROI based on the ultrasound data along the first 2D plane;
• calculate a second flow velocity within the ROI based on the ultrasound data along the second 2D plane;
• generate a color flow image based on the first flow velocity;
• generate a set of graphical indicators based on the second flow velocity;
• generate and display an anatomical image on a display, the anatomical image based on the ultrasound data acquired along the first 2D plane;
• and
• overlay the color flow image and the set of graphical indicators on the anatomical image on the display, wherein the set of graphical indicators are displayed as an animated repeating sequence that successively cycles between different graphical indicators in the set to represent the second flow velocity.

A tangible and non-transitory computer readable medium comprising one or more computer software modules configured to direct one or more processors to:

• acquire ultrasound data along a first two-dimensional (2D) plane and a second 2D plane from a matrix array probe for a region of interest (ROI), wherein the first 2D plane is orthogonal to the second 2D plane;
• calculate a first flow velocity within the ROI based on the ultrasound data along the first 2D plane;
• calculate a second flow velocity within the ROI based on the ultrasound data along the second 2D plane;
• generate a color flow image based on the first flow velocity;
• generate a set of graphical indicators based on the second flow velocity;
• generate and display an anatomical image on a display, the anatomical image based on the ultrasound data acquired along the first 2D plane;
• and
• overlay the color flow image and the set of graphical indicators on the anatomical image on the display, wherein the set of graphical indicators are displayed as an animated repeating sequence that successively cycles between different graphical indicators in the set to represent the second flow velocity.