Ultrasonic system and method for measurement of fluid flow

An ultrasound system for measuring flow of fluid in an enclosed structure comprising:

• a transducer;
• a beamformer for uniformly insonifying a first area of the enclosed structure
• an estimator for measuring a first parameter of a Doppler spectrum responsive to the uniform insonification;
• and
• a processor for determining volume flow as a function of the first parameter and an angle associated with a direction of flow in the enclosed structure.

A method for measuring flow of fluid in an enclosed structure with an ultrasound system, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) measuring a first parameter of a first Doppler spectrum;
• (b) measuring a first velocity associated with a first area and a first scan line at a first angle;
• (c) measuring a second velocity associated with the first area and a second scan line at a second angle;
• (d) determining a flow angle associated with flow in the enclosed structure as a function of the first and second velocities and first and second angles;
• and
• (e) determining volume flow of the enclosed structure as a function of the first parameter and the flow angle.

An ultrasound system for measuring flow of fluid in an enclosed structure comprising:

• a transducer;
• an estimator for measuring (1) a first parameter of a Doppler spectrum, (2) a first velocity associated with a first area and a first scan line at a first angle, and (3) a second velocity associated with the first area and a second scan line at a second angle;
• and
• a processor for determining (1) a flow angle associated with flow in the enclosed structure as a function of the first and second velocities and the first and second angles and (2) volume flow as a function of the first parameter and the flow angle.

A method for measuring flow of fluid in an enclosed structure with an ultrasound system, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) uniformly insonifying a first area of the enclosed structure in a first scan plane;
• (b) measuring a first moment of a first Doppler spectrum responsive to step (a);
• (c) measuring a first velocity associated with a first area and a first scan line at a first angle in a second scan plane, the second scan plane substantially perpendicular to the first scan plane;
• (d) measuring a second velocity associated with the first area and a second scan line at a second angle in the second scan plane,
• (e) determining a flow angle associated with flow in the enclosed structure as a function of the first and second velocities and first and second angles;
• and
• (f) determining volume flow as a function of the first moment and the flow angle.

An ultrasonic method for measuring flow of fluid in an enclosed structure with an ultrasound system, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) determining scatterer calibration values associated with a transversal cross-section of the enclosed structure;
• (b) uniformly insonifying in an azimuthal dimension with a linear transducer the enclosed structure associated with a longitudinal cross-section;
• and
• (c) determining volume flow as a function of the scatterer calibration values and the uniform insonification.