In vivo lateral flow estimation with spatial quadrature [medical ultrasound]

The first in vivo lateral blood velocity estimates made using a heterodyned spatial quadrature-based estimator are presented. Spatial quadrature is a method for quantifying the non-axial components of the blood velocity or tissue motion vector. The motivation of this work is to extend quantitative blood velocity imaging beyond the current display of only the axial component of the flow vector. Results are presented showing pulsatility in the lateral velocity profile coinciding with the pulsation of the vessel walls over the cardiac cycle. The associated measurements of peak systolic velocities in the range of 60-80 cm/s and of mean velocities on the order of 20-30 cm/s are also presented, and the clinical implications of these results are discussed.