ANGLE INDEPENDENT DOPPLER COLOR IMAGING: ITS FEASIBILITY IN HEMODYNAMIC STUDIES IN VIVO

摘要

Doppler color imaging (DCI) has been routinely employed for diagnosis of a variety of vascular abnormalities. Currently, most of the clinical applications of DCI are based on the qualitative and semiquantitative analyses of the color flow patterns. The angle dependence of DCI is a major barrier for further utilizing the quantitative information contained in the color images. We have been working on developing the method utilizing the multiple beams technique to obtain angle independent Doppler color images (AIDCI) with a linear transducer. The accuracy of this method on velocity measurement in steady flow conditions was reported previously (Fei et al., 1994). In this study, we intend to examine the feasibility of using this technique in hemodynamic studies in vivo, especially, the branched vessels, such as the carotid arteries.