METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR BLOOD SPECKLE DETECTION IN AN INTRAVASCULAR ULTRASOUND IMAGING SYSTEM

摘要

The present invention is methods, and apparatus for blood speckle detection for enhanced intravascular ultrasound imaging. The invention utilizes the fact that the energy scattering strength from blood exhibits a high frequency dependency (67, 69), while the scattering strength from tissue lacks a strong frequency dependency (63, 65). In specific embodiments, the present invention may provide a particularly simple and useful solution for addressing the problem of blood speckle in intravascular ultrasound imaging, especially in situations where the blood may have a scattering strength similar to that of tissue and/or where the blood is moving slowly or not at all.