Cross-beam vector Doppler ultrasound for angle-independent velocity measurements.
Combining Doppler measurements taken along multiple intersecting ultrasound (US) beams is one approach to obtaining angle-independent velocity. Over 30 laboratories and companies have developed such cross-beam systems since the 1970s. Early designs focused on multiple single-element probes. In the late 1980s, combining multiple color Doppler images acquired from linear-array transducers became a popular modality. This was further expanded to include beam steering and the use of subapertures. Often, with each change in design, came a new twist to calculating the velocity. This article presents a review of most proposed cross-beam systems published to date. The emphasis is on the basic design, the approach used to determine the angle-independent velocity, the advantages of the design, and the disadvantages of the design. From this, requirements needed to convert the idea of angle-independent vector Doppler into a commercial system are suggested.
Dunmire
B
B
Department of Surgery, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA.
Beach
K W
KW
Labs
K
K
Plett
M
M
Strandness
D E
DE
D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D012212:Rheology; D014159:Transducers; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*