Transverse Oscillation Vector Estimation in Ultrasound Imaging

An ultrasound imaging system, comprising:

• a transducer array configured to continuously transmit an ultrasound signal in one direction;
• a beamformer configured to beamform echo signals received by the transducer array using on a predetermined apodization function;
• a velocity processor configured to determine a vector velocity of flow, including velocity components, from the beamformed echo signals using transverse oscillation vector velocity estimation;
• a measurement processor configured to generate a quantitative measurement from the velocity components;
• and
• a display that visually presents the quantitative measurement.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a beamformer configured to beamform, using on a predetermined apodization function, echo signals received by a transducer array of an ultrasound imaging system, wherein the echo signals are generated in response to an interaction of anatomical tissue and an ultrasound signal continuously transmitted by the transducer array in one direction, wherein the apodization function includes a selectable parameter that controls a maximum measurable velocity;
• a controller that sets the selectable parameter based whether a first or a second vector velocity is being measured, wherein the first vector velocity is greater than the second vector velocity;
• a processor configured to determine the vector velocity, including velocity components, from the beamformed echo signals using transverse oscillation vector velocity estimation;
• and
• a display that visually presents the quantitative measurement.