Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, Vol 16, Issue 4 275-279, Copyright © 1997 by American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
Color Doppler energy: computer analysis of color to assess angle dependency and detection of volume flow differences
A. Nilsson, P. A. Olofsson, I. Loren, L. Carlstedt and P. Nilsson
Department of Radiology, University Hospital MAS, University of Lund, Malmo, Sweden.
The aims of this study were to assess (1) any angle dependency of color
Doppler energy and (2) if computer analysis of the color can distinguish
variations in volume flow. Fluid flowing through a silicon tube in a
waterbath was insonated and the color in the images analyzed by a computer.
The color presentation on the screen decreases rapidly as the angle
approaches 90 degrees. At angles that did not produce a saturation of the
color in the tube, the computer analysis detected significant differences
between different flow volumes. We have concluded that monitoring of volume
flow changes by analysis of color Doppler energy is possible, but the angle
of insonation must be taken into account.
