Detecting fluid flows using ultrasound imaging systems

An ultrasound probe, comprising:

• a probe array assembly configured to transmit ultrasound waves;
• a processing device coupled to the probe array assembly, the processing device configured to:
• transmit a first set of the ultrasound waves, wherein:
• the first set of the ultrasound waves are directed towards a target area;
• and
• the first set of the ultrasound waves are transmitted at a first pulse repetition frequency;
• determine whether or not there is a fluid flow in a second area based at least on two sets of changes of the first pulse repetition frequency of the first set of the ultrasound waves, wherein the second area is between the target area and the ultrasound probe;
• in response to determining that there is no fluid flow in the second area, determine a fluid flow in the target area using the first set of the ultrasound waves to generate a first set of images indicating the fluid flow in the target area on a display device;
• in response to determining that there is the fluid flow in the second area between the target area and the ultrasound probe, transmit a second set of the ultrasound waves to the target area, wherein:
• the second set of the ultrasound waves are transmitted at a second pulse repetition frequency that is different from the second pulse repetition frequency to generate a second set of images indicating the fluid flow in the target area on the display device;
• and
• determine whether there is a fluid flow in a third area based on the second set of the ultrasound waves that are transmitted in response to determining there is the fluid flow in the second area, wherein the third area is between the target area and the ultrasound probe and is separate from the second area, and wherein the ultrasound probe comprises a plurality of beamforming components comprising a first beamforming component and a second beamforming component, wherein the first beamforming component is to compensate for a first delay in receiving the ultrasound waves on a first transducer element at a side of a transducer assembly and the second beamforming component is to compensate for a second delay in receiving the ultrasound waves on a second transducer element at a center of the transducer assembly, and wherein the first beamforming component is to determine the fluid flow in the target area, and the second beamforming component is to determine the fluid flow in the third area that is separate from the target area, simultaneously, when the ultrasound probe is not performing beamforming.

A method, comprising:

• transmitting a first set of ultrasound waves, wherein:
• the first set of the ultrasound waves are directed towards a target area;
• and
• the first set of the ultrasound waves are transmitted at a first pulse repetition frequency;
• determining whether or not there is a fluid flow in a second area based at least on two sets of changes of the first pulse repetition frequency of the first set of the ultrasound waves, wherein the second area is between the target area and an ultrasound probe;
• in response to determining that there is no fluid flow in the second area, determining a fluid flow in the target area using the first set of the ultrasound waves to generate a first set of images indicating the fluid flow in the target area on a display device;
• in response to determining that there is the fluid flow in the second area between the target area and the ultrasound probe, providing an indication that there is the fluid flow between the ultrasound probe and the target area;
• transmitting a second set of the ultrasound waves to the target area, wherein the second set of the ultrasound waves are transmitted at a second pulse repetition frequency that is different from the first pulse repetition frequency to generate a second set of images indicating the fluid flow in the target area on the display device;
• and
• determining whether there is a fluid flow in a third area based on the second set of the ultrasound waves that are transmitted in response to determining that there is the fluid flow in the second area, wherein the third area is between the target area and the ultrasound probe and is separate from the second area, and wherein the ultrasound probe comprises a plurality of beamforming components comprising a first beamforming component and a second beamforming component simultaneously, wherein the first beamforming component is to compensate for a first delay in receiving the ultrasound waves on a first transducer element at a side of a transducer assembly and the second beamforming component is to compensate for a second delay in receiving the ultrasound waves on a second transducer element at a center of the transducer assembly, and wherein the first beamforming component is to determine the fluid flow in the target area, and the second beamforming component is to determine the fluid flow in the third area that is separate from the target area, simultaneously, when the ultrasound probe is not performing beamforming.