Schrope B, Newhouse V L, Uhlendorf V
Biomedical Engineering and Science Institute, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104.
Ultrason Imaging. 1992 Apr;14(2):134-58. doi: 10.1177/016173469201400204.
This paper proposes a system for measuring slow, small volume blood flow, such as that found in the capillary beds. The method relies on the injection of a strongly nonlinear echocardiographic contrast agent, whose echoes are then analyzed by a modified Doppler process. The contrast agent is necessary to increase the signal-to-clutter ratio from the small blood volume, and to distinguish the blood movement from other moving structures, such as vessel walls or surrounding tissue. The nonlinear properties of this saccharide-based contrast agent are described, as evidenced by experimental evaluation. The contrast agent and signal processing modality are then tested in a blood flow simulator, at velocities as low as 1.5 mm/s, with good results. In addition, an analysis for applying this technique in vivo is presented, accounting for the dynamic and acoustic parameters of the physiological environment. Finally, some specific applications for this method are discussed, including its limitations.
本文提出了一种用于测量缓慢、小体积血流的系统，例如在毛细血管床中发现的血流。该方法依赖于注射一种强非线性超声心动图造影剂，然后通过改进的多普勒过程对其回波进行分析。造影剂对于提高小血容量的信杂比以及区分血液运动与其他移动结构（如血管壁或周围组织）是必要的。通过实验评估证明了这种基于糖类的造影剂的非线性特性。然后在血流模拟器中以低至1.5毫米/秒的速度对造影剂和信号处理方式进行了测试，结果良好。此外，还给出了将该技术应用于体内的分析，考虑了生理环境的动态和声学参数。最后，讨论了该方法的一些具体应用，包括其局限性。
