Method for detecting two-dimensional flow for ultrasound color flow imaging

A method for determining the velocity of a flowing material at a plurality of points located at different ranges along a first vector using a linear array of ultrasonic transducers, comprising the steps of:

• (a) activating each of a first plurality of ultrasonic transducers of said array to transmit an ultrasonic beam of a predetermined frequency, said first plurality of ultrasonic transducers forming a transmission aperture, each transducer of said transmission aperture being activated at times such that said transmitted ultrasonic beam is directed along said first vector from a center of said transmission aperture through each of said plurality of points;
• (b) steering and focussing a second plurality of ultrasonic transducers of said array forming a first reception aperture to detect respective backscattered ultrasonic beams directed along respective lines of sight from respective ones of said plurality of points to a center of said first reception aperture, said backscattered ultrasonic beams being respectively formed when said transmitted ultrasonic beam arrives at said respective points along said first vector;
• (c) steering and focussing a third plurality of ultrasonic transducers of said array forming a second reception aperture to detect respective backscattered ultrasonic beams directed along respective lines of sight from respective ones of said plurality of points to a center of said second reception aperture, said backscattered ultrasonic beams being respectively formed when said transmitted ultrasonic beam arrives at said respective points along said first vector;
• (d) for each of said points, determining a first Doppler shift in the frequency of the backscattered ultrasonic beam backscattered from each respective point to said first reception aperture;
• and
• (e) for each of said points, determining a second Doppler shift in the frequency of the backscattered ultrasonic beam backscattered from each respective point to said second reception aperture.

An ultrasound color flow imaging system for determining the velocity of a flowing material at a plurality of points of interest along a vector, comprising:

• (a) an array of ultrasonic transducers;
• (b) means for activating each of a first plurality of ultrasonic transducers of said array to transmit an ultrasonic beam of a predetermined frequency, said first plurality of ultrasonic transducers forming a transmission aperture, each transducer of said transmission aperture being activated at times such that said transmitted ultrasonic beam is directed along said first vector from a center of said transmission aperture through each of said plurality of points;
• (c) means for steering and focussing a second plurality of ultrasonic transducers of said array forming a first reception aperture to detect respective backscattered ultrasonic beams directed along respective lines of sight from respective ones of said plurality of points to a center of said first reception aperture, said backscattered ultrasonic beams being respectively formed when said transmitted ultrasonic beam arrives at said respective points along said first vector;
• (d) means for steering and focussing a third plurality of ultrasonic transducers of said array forming a second reception aperture to detect respective backscattered ultrasonic beams directed along respective lines of sight from respective ones of said plurality of points to a center of said second reception aperture, said backscattered ultrasonic beams being respectively formed when said transmitted ultrasonic beam arrives at said respective points along said first vector;
• (e) means for determining a first Doppler shift in the frequency of the backscattered ultrasonic beam backscattered from each respective point to said first reception aperture and a second Doppler shift in the frequency of the backscattered ultrasonic beam backscattered from each respective point to said second reception aperture.