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Publication Number
US-12569220-B2
Publication Date
2026-03-10
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present disclosure is related to a blood flow measurement system containing, such as, a guide imaging probe, a first Doppler probe, a second Doppler probe, and a control unit, where the guide imaging probe includes a multiple imaging ultrasound elements disposed along a first direction, the first Doppler probe includes multiple first Doppler ultrasound elements disposed on one side of the guide imaging probe along a second direction corresponding to a direction perpendicular to the first direction, the second Doppler probe includes multiple second Doppler ultrasound elements disposed on the other side of the guide imaging probe along a third direction corresponding to a direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the control unit provides a control signal to control the guide imaging probe, the first Doppler probe, and the second Doppler probe.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a blood flow measurement system that includes a guide imaging probe disposed along a first direction, a first Doppler probe disposed on one side of the guide imaging probe along a second direction, and a second Doppler probe disposed on the other side of the guide imaging probe along a third direction. The guide imaging probe includes a plurality of imaging ultrasound elements, and each Doppler probe includes a plurality of Doppler ultrasound elements. A processor provides a control signal to control the guide imaging probe, the first Doppler probe, and the second Doppler probe for coordinated operation with the object.
The system detects location information of a blood vessel included in an object based on an image ultrasound reception signal. The guide imaging probe transmits a first ultrasound signal based on a first control signal and receives the reflected image ultrasound reception signal. The guide imaging probe also transmits a second ultrasound signal based on a second control signal. The first Doppler probe receives a first Doppler ultrasound reception signal, and the second Doppler probe receives a second Doppler ultrasound reception signal, both reflected from the object.
In the disclosed operation, a processor performs blood flow velocity measurement and related blood flow output processing using Doppler reception signals from the first and second Doppler probes together with vessel location information from the guide imaging probe. A cross-sectional area is measured using a depth-direction cross-section guide line, and blood flow velocity is calculated from the first and second Doppler reception signals. The system generates a spectrogram, and cardiac output is calculated using the velocity time integral (VTI), the cross-sectional area, and heart rate.
The system further defines operation modes and selection-driven Doppler probe driving in which the Doppler probes are alternately driven. In one mode, transmission intervals are sequentially increased after vessel location information is detected. In another mode, the Doppler probes alternately transmit for focused measurement. The disclosed approach emphasizes a dramatically increased pulse repetition frequency (PRF).
Claims Coverage
Independent claim clm-00001 covers a blood flow measurement system with a guide imaging probe and first and second Doppler probes on opposite sides, with processor-controlled imaging-based vessel localization and acquisition of Doppler reception signals from both Doppler probes. The independent claim includes core elements for coordinated ultrasound transmission and reception, producing vessel location information from image ultrasound reception signals and providing Doppler ultrasound reception signals from the two Doppler probes.
Opposite-side guide imaging and Doppler probes
A guide imaging probe disposed along a first direction, a first Doppler probe disposed on one side of the guide imaging probe along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a second Doppler probe disposed on the other side of the guide imaging probe along a third direction perpendicular to the first direction, each with respective plurality of imaging or Doppler ultrasound elements.
Processor controlled coordinated transmissions and receptions
A processor configured to provide a control signal to control the guide imaging probe, the first Doppler probe, and the second Doppler probe, including the guide imaging probe transmitting first and second ultrasound signals based on received first and second control signals and receiving an image ultrasound reception signal reflected from the object.
Vessel location detection from image ultrasound reception signals
The processor detects location information of a blood vessel included in an object based on an image ultrasound reception signal received by the guide imaging probe.
Dual Doppler reception signals from both Doppler probes
The first Doppler probe receives a first Doppler ultrasound reception signal and the second Doppler probe receives a second Doppler ultrasound reception signal reflected from the object under processor control.
The independent claim’s core coverage is directed to a multi-probe blood flow measurement system where a guide imaging probe localizes a blood vessel from image ultrasound reception signals and two Doppler probes on opposite sides acquire corresponding Doppler ultrasound reception signals, all under processor control via ultrasound transmission/reception control signals.
Stated Advantages
Dramatically increased pulse repetition frequency (PRF).
Documented Applications
Blood flow measurement including spectrogram generation and cardiac output calculation using VTI, cross-sectional area, and heart rate.
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