Ultrasound image display combining improved flow image depiction in B mode and color flow mode

摘要

The apparatus (1) displays an image of an object to be studied by combining data from a gray level mode and a color flow mode. The apparatus includes a convertor (10) to transmit ultrasound waves into the object, to receive ultrasound echo waves from the object in response to the transmitted waves and to convert the echo waves into a received signal. A transmitter (14) is connected to apply a first number of pulses to the convertor in the gray level mode so that the convertor sends first waves and generates first received signals in response to echo waves which are received in response to the first waves. The transmitter applies a second number of pulses to the convertor during a color flow mode so that the convertor transmits second waves and second received signals in response to echo waves which are received in response to the second waves. A first reception channel is responsive to the first received signals to generate gray level data which represents movement of sections of the object in two dimensions. A second reception channel is responsive to the second received signals to generate color flow data which represents movement of sections of the object. A display (19) displays an image from a combination of the signals from the first and second channels so that movement is represented by a colored gray level image. Independent claims also cover a method of displaying images.