US 5,287,753 A · Continuous display of peak and mean blood flow velocities

Abstract

A technique for continuously determining and displaying the peak and mean velocities of spectral Doppler information is disclosed. Received spectral Doppler data is examined over a predetermined period to determine the signal to noise ratio of the Doppler signals. Individual instantaneous measurements, or lines, of Doppler spectral information are analyzed in the power versus frequency domain to compare the line information against a noise threshold determined by the signal to noise ratio. The maximum frequency signal component is thereby identified as the peak velocity of the spectral line. Mean velocity is calculated as an intensity weighted mean about the maximum power frequency of the line data. The identified peak and mean velocities are displayed in contrasting colors or shades on a continuously updated and displayed flow velocity versus time spectral display.

Claims13

Dependent claims

Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for providing Doppler information concerning flow velocities comprising:

means for acquiring Doppler signals from a region of a body;
means for accessing said Doppler signals to produce spectral line data representing frequency or velocity for continuous display of a succession of spectral lines during the continuation of Doppler signal acquisition;
means for analyzing the data of a plurality of said spectral lines to determine a threshold level;
means for utilizing said threshold level and said spectral line data of a first successive spectral line to identify a peak velocity value in said first successive spectral line prior to the display of said first successive spectral line;
and
means for displaying said first successive spectral line and its identified peak velocity value prior to the display of a second successive spectral line.

3 more elements

Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for providing Doppler information concerning flow velocities comprising:

means for acquiring Doppler signals from a region of a body;
means for processing said Doppler signals to produce spectral line data representing frequency or velocity for continuous display of a succession of spectral lines during the continuation of Doppler signal acquisition;
means for analyzing the data of a plurality of said spectral lines to determine a threshold level;
means for utilizing said threshold level and said spectral line data of a first successive spectral line to identify a peak velocity value in said first successive spectral line prior to the display of said first successive spectral line;
and
means for displaying said first successive spectral line and its identified peak velocity value prior to the display of a second successive spectral line,
wherein said means for analyzing the data of a plurality of said spectral lines comprises means for determining a noise threshold level.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Continuous display of peak and mean blood flow velocities

Life of this patent

Continuous display of peak and mean blood flow velocities

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13