Method and apparatus for ultrasound imaging in the presence of contrast agents, Particularly in the field of cardiology

摘要

A method for ultrasound imaging in the presence of contrast agents, particularly in the field of cardiology, including detecting physiological, especially electrocardiographic signals; transforming the signals or a part thereof into pulses for controlling an ultrasonic probe pointed to the heart region, to synchronize it with the heart cycle; performing image acquisitions at predetermined heart cycle phases for predetermined limited times, with a predetermined ultrasonic beam intensity; processing the received signals and displaying them on a display. Image acquisition takes place in the systolic phase of each heart cycle from the end of diastole to the end of systole, a certain fixed number of acquisitions per unit time and an intensity of the ultrasonic beams being determined with the help of an intermediate Mechanical Index for controlled destruction of a certain percentage of contrast agent microbubbles.