Ultrasound diagnostic apparatus

Abstract

An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus for displaying two-dimensional blood flow information superimposed over anatomical information. A transducer generates a series of ultrasound bursts which are directed towards the area of the body where blood flow and anatomical information are desired. The bursts are transmitted in several beam directions so as to form a sector scan. A receive interval follows each burst at which time the transducer detects ultrasound reflected from body structure and blood. A detector circuit receives the reflected ultrasound signals and produces a frequency difference signal which corresponds to the difference in frequency between the transmitted and reflected ultrasound, such difference being attributable to the Doppler shift produced by moving blood cells. The detected difference frequency data are forwarded to a processor unit which generates velocity estimator data for various points along each of the beam directions. The velocity estimator data are then used to produce an image of blood flow on a display, such as a television monitor. Preferably, blood flow toward and away from the transducer will appear in different colors. Anatomical data produced from the reflected ultrasound is also used to provide an image of the display of body structure with the anatomical image being superimposed over the blood flow image.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.