An integrated system for the non-invasive assessment of vessel wall and hemodynamic properties of large arteries by means of ultrasound.
OBJECTIVE
To integrate methods for non-invasive assessment of vessel wall properties (diastolic diameter, distension waveform and intima-media thickness) and hemodynamic properties (blood flow velocity and shear rate distribution) of large arteries by means of dedicated ultrasound signal processing.


METHODS
we have developed an arterial laboratory (ART-lab) system. ART-lab consists of software running on a standard personal computer, equipped with a data acquisition card for the acquisition of radio frequency (RF) ultrasound signals obtained with a conventional echo scanner. It operates either (1) off-line or (2) in real-time. Real-time operation is restricted to the assessment of vessel wall properties because of limitations in computational power.


RESULTS
This paper provides an overview of ART-lab ultrasound radio frequency data acquisition and dedicated RF-signal processing methods. The capabilities of the system are illustrated with some typical applications.


CONCLUSIONS
ART-lab in real-time mode is a useful tool for monitoring arterial vessel wall dynamics, while off-line it can be employed to investigate the elastic vessel wall properties in combination with hemodynamics, such as blood flow velocity and shear rate distribution.
Brands
P J
PJ
Department of Biophysics, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands. p.brands@bf.unimaas.nl
Hoeks
A P
AP
Willigers
J
J
Willekes
C
C
Reneman
R S
RS
D001158:Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D008838:Microcomputers; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018924:Vascular Capacitance; D014655:Vascular Resistance