Medical diagnostic ultrasound system and method for continuous M-mode imaging and periodic imaging of contrast agents

摘要

A method and system for imaging contrast agent within human or animal tissue, organs and/or blood is provided. Contrast agents, such as perfluorocarbon gas-filled albumin microbubbles which exhibit momentary contrast enhancement when exposed to high intensity ultrasound are injected into a patient. Periodic images are generated to avoid reduction in the contrast provided by the contrast agents due to ultrasound destruction. Between the periodic images, an M-mode image is substantially continuously updated to allow the user to better locate and maintain imaging of a region of interest, determine dynamic movement within the region of interest, access attenuation, determine an appropriate trigger point, and view perfusion of the contrast agent between the periodic images while minimizing destruction of contrast agent. In one embodiment, an ultrasound system alternates between triggered firings of a two-dimensional B-mode image and substantially continuous updating of an M-mode image. The M-mode image is displayed as a strip revealing the time course of reflected ultrasound echoes along a scan line within the B-mode image plane. The B-mode image is displayed adjacent to the M-mode image. In a second embodiment, two-dimensional B-mode and color Doppler images are triggered. The Doppler energy parameter is used for generating the adjacent and substantially continuous M-mode image.