3-D blood flow velocity estimation with a triple-beam lens-experimental results

Abstract

Current commercial ultrasound blood flow measurement systems only measure the axial component of the true blood flow velocity vector. In order to overcome this limitation, a technique which tracks blood cell scatterers as as they move between three ultrasound beams has been developed. With this technique, the entire three-dimensional blood flow velocity vector can be estimated. Previous work has presented the theory behind the technique as well as results of computer simulations. This work presents the first experimental results obtained with a prototype system for continuous, fully developed flow in a flow phantom under a wide range of flow rates and flow directions. The results indicate that the accurate measurement of the 3-D flow velocity vector using this technique is possible.