METHODS AND DEVICES FOR ESTIMATING BLOOD FLOW CHARACTERISTICS

摘要

Methods and devices are described for estimating blood flow characteristics through an orifice of a subject, such as regurgitant blood flow through a faulty heart valve. Acoustical techniques can be applied to send bursts of energy, such as high repetition pulsed ultrasonic signals, to a sample volume in a region of interest. For example, multiple beams can be formed from the bursts of energy each having a cross sectional area that is smaller than the cross sectional area of the orifice being investigated. By combining the multiple beams, a composite measure of the blood flow characteristics through the orifice can be obtained. In one example, the composite measure can provide an estimate of the cross sectional area of the interrogated orifice. The composite measure can also provide an estimate of the geometry of the orifice. Systems and components for providing such composite measures are also disclosed.