Doppler colour flow imaging and flow quantification with forward-viewing intravascular ultrasound

• Published in: Ultrasound in medicine & biology Vol. 26; no. SUPPL. 2; p. A74
• Main Authors: Gatzoulis, L, Ramnarine, K V, Pye, S D, Anderson, T, Newby, DE, McDicken, W N
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.01.2000
• Subjects: Catheters; Color image processing; Data acquisition; Doppler effect; Image analysis; Optical flows; Scanning; Tissue
• ISSN: 0301-5629

The aim of this work was to investigate the potential of a novel forward-viewing intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) system for flow quantification and colour flow imaging combined with B-mode imaging. A stiff 3.8 mm diameter catheter was used to scan a 72 degree sector ahead of its tip. Operating at 30 MHz, the catheter was integrated with an IVUS scanner and a radiofrequency data acquisition system. Radiofrequency data was software processed for producing B-mode images and deriving velocity estimates. Steady flow in the range 45-145 ml/min towards the catheter, was used in wall-less tissue mimicking phantoms simulating healthy lumen (8 mm diameter), 30% diameter symmetrical stenosis and 37% diameter eccentric stenosis. The system provided colour flow images and good estimation of volumetric flows (within 4-15% of calculated values) at 5-7 mm distal to the catheter. A sector forward-viewing IVUS imaging/Doppler system is suitable for combined anatomical and functional assessment of stenosed vessels.