Method and apparatus for automatic setting of sample gate in pulsed doppler ultrasound imaging

A method of sizing a sample gate in a test subject, comprising the steps of:

• (a) detecting a predetermined state associated with a sample gate graphic being displayed;
• (b) processing a frame of imaging data from which said image was derived to determine a dimension of a vessel segment in said test subject in response to detection of said predetermined state;
• (c) adjusting a dimension of said sample gate to have a predetermined relationship to said dimension of said vessel segment in response to completion of said processing step;
• and
• (d) superimposing a sample gate graphic on said image, said sample gate graphic having a dimension corresponding to said adjusted dimension of said sample gate.

A system comprising:

• a display device comprising a multiplicity of pixels;
• a memory for storing a frame of image pixel values;
• and
• a computer programmed to perform the steps of:
• (a) controlling said display device to display an image derived from said frame of image pixel values and a sample gate graphic superimposed on said image;
• (b) detecting a predetermined state associated with said sample gate graphic being displayed;
• (c) processing said image pixel values to determine a predetermined point in a vessel segment in said test subject in response to detection of said predetermined state;
• (d) moving a sample gate to a predetermined position relative to said predetermined point in response to completion of said processing step;
• and
• (e) superimposing a sample gate graphic at a new position in said image, said new position corresponding to said predetermined position of said sample gate.

A system comprising:

• a display device comprising a multiplicity of pixels;
• a memory for storing a frame of image pixel values;
• and
• a computer programmed to perform the steps of:
• (a) controlling said display device to display an image derived from said frame of image pixel values and a sample gate graphic superimposed on said image;
• (b) detecting a predetermined state associated with said sample gate graphic being displayed;
• (c) processing said image pixel values to determine a dimension of a vessel segment in said test subject in response to detection of said predetermined state;
• (d) adjusting a dimension of said sample gate to have a predetermined relationship to said dimension of said vessel segment in response to completion of said processing step;
• and
• (e) superimposing a sample gate graphic on said image, said sample gate graphic having a dimension corresponding to said adjusted dimension of said sample gate.

A system comprising:

• a display device;
• a memory for storing a frame of image pixel values;
• means for controlling said display device to display an image derived from said frame of image pixel values;
• means for controlling said display device to display a sample gate graphic superimposed on said image;
• means for detecting a predetermined state associated with said sample gate graphic being displayed;
• means for processing said image pixel values to determine a predetermined point in a vessel segment in said test subject in response to detection of said predetermined state;
• means for moving a sample gate to a predetermined position relative to said predetermined point in response to completion of said processing step;
• and
• means for controlling said display device to superimpose a sample gate graphic at a new position in said image, said new position corresponding to said predetermined position of said sample gate.