Spectral doppler ultrasound imaging device and method for controlling same

Abstract

A method for controlling a spectral Doppler ultrasound imaging device adapted for operating both in a spectrum-live Doppler measurement mode (S3) and in an image-live measurement mode (S1, S6) is proposed. In accordance with the present invention, the method comprises automatically switching to the image-live measurement mode (S6) upon detection (S5) of a change of a sampled region. A change of a sampled region may be indicated by an operator by actuating a sampled region control device such as a trackball, angle knob or sample gate controller and, upon such actuation, the spectral Doppler ultrasound imaging device may automatically switch to the image-live measurement mode (S6) to allow for adapting or correcting of a position and/or orientation of the sampled region. After the sampled region has been positionally stable for a predetermined duration, the spectral Doppler ultrasound imaging device may be switched back (S7) to the spectrum-live measurement mode (S3). Thereby, unnecessary manual toggling between different measurement modes may be avoided and quantitative spectrum-live Doppler measurement (S3) is enabled being interrupted only when necessary, i.e. when a sampled region is changed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.