Method and apparatus for generating volume flow measurement

A method for generating a vascular volume flow measurement in a living subject using an ultrasonic system, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) generating a velocity measurement of a volume in a vessel;
• b) generating an angle correct cursor on a display, the angle correct cursor indicating a point of the vessel where the velocity measurement is generated;
• and
• c) generating a diameter measure cursor on the display, the diameter measure cursor is fixed to the angle correct cursor and is used to determine an approximate diameter of the vessel at the point of the vessel where the velocity measurement is generated, wherein the diameter measure cursor and the angle correct cursor are jointly rotatable.

An apparatus for making vascular volume flow measurements within a living subject in an ultrasonic system comprising:

• a first circuit for determining a velocity in a vessel by emitting pulses into the subject under examination, receiving echoes in response to the pulses and determining Doppler frequency shifts from the pulses, and translating the Doppler frequency shifts to velocity information;
• a second circuit coupled to the first circuit for generating a rotatable angle correct cursor on a display of the system, the angle correct cursor showing an area of the vessel where the velocity is determined, said angle correct cursor operable to determine an angle of said vessel for correcting said velocity;
• and
• a third circuit coupled to the second circuit for generating a diameter measuring cursor on the display for determining a diameter of the area of the vessel where the velocity is determined, wherein the diameter measuring cursor is fixed to the angle correct cursor.

An apparatus for making vascular volume flow measurements within a living subject in an ultrasonic system comprising:

• a first circuit for determining a velocity in a vessel by emitting pulses into the subject under examination, receiving echoes in response to the pulses and determining Doppler frequency shifts from the pulses, and translating the Doppler frequency shifts to velocity information;
• a second circuit coupled to the first circuit for generating an angle correct cursor on a display of the system, the angle correct cursor showing an area of the vessel where the velocity is determined;
• and
• a third circuit coupled to the second circuit for generating a diameter measuring cursor on the display for determining a diameter of the area of the vessel where the velocity is determined, wherein the diameter measuring cursor is fixed to the angle correct cursor, wherein the diameter measure cursor generated by the third circuit and the angle correct cursor generated by the second circuit, are jointly rotatable.

An apparatus for making vascular volume flow measurements within a living subject in an ultrasonic system comprising:

• a velocity determining means for determining a velocity in a vessel by emitting pulses into the subject under examination, receiving echoes in response to the pulses and determining Doppler frequency shifts from the pulses, and translating the Doppler frequency shifts to velocity information;
• a rotatable angle correct cursor generating means coupled to the velocity determining means for generating an angle correct cursor on a display of the system, the angle correct cursor showing an area of the vessel where the velocity is determined, said angle correct cursor operable to determine an angle of said vessel for correcting said velocity;
• and
• a diameter measuring cursor means coupled to the angle correct cursor generating means for generating a diameter measuring cursor on the display for determining a diameter of the area of the vessel where the velocity is determined, wherein the diameter measuring cursor is fixed to the angle correct cursor.

An apparatus for making vascular volume flow measurements within a living subject in an ultrasonic system comprising:

• a velocity determining means for determining a velocity in a vessel by emitting pulses into the subject under examination, receiving echoes in response to the pulses and determining Doppler frequency shifts from the pulses, and translating the Doppler frequency shifts to velocity information;
• an angle correct cursor generating means coupled to the velocity determining means for generating an angle correct cursor on a display of the system, the angle correct cursor showing an area of the vessel where the velocity is determined;
• and
• a diameter measuring cursor means coupled to the angle correct cursor generating means for generating a diameter measuring cursor on the display for determining a diameter of the area of the vessel where the velocity is determined, wherein the diameter measuring cursor is fixed to the angle correct cursor, further comprises a rotation means coupled to the volume flow measurement means for jointly rotating the diameter measure cursor and the angle correct cursor.