Computer implementation in the reconstruction of 2-D flow velocity fields in ultrasound Doppler color imaging

Doppler color imaging can easily render flow information within the vessels and simultaneously provide anatomic information for diagnostic purposes. However, the angle dependence problem of the Doppler velocity measurement is a significant barrier for continuing progress toward quantitative clinical applications of this technology. This paper presents a method and the computer implementation for reconstruction of the 2-D flow velocity field (angle independent) in ultrasound Doppler color imaging. Formulae for deriving angle independent velocity amplitude and angle direction from the color images acquired with a linear array transducer are given. The hardware configuration of the data acquiring and processing system is described. Major considerations in the development of algorithms, especially the strategies for reducing the computation time are presented.