SA-VFI: the IEEE IUS Challenge on Synthetic Aperture Vector Flow Imaging

High frame rate vector flow imaging represents an attractive alternative to implement velocity estimation modes on clinical systems. Several approaches to obtain such imaging modes are possible especially using plane or diverging waves. The SA-VFI (Synthetic Aperture-Vector Flow Imaging) challenge is a competition organized during the IEEE International Ultrasonics Symposium 2018 in Kobe that aimed at bringing together all groups willing to work on synthetic aperture based high frame rate vector flow imaging This document describes the framework and objectives of the challenge as well as the data-sets and metrics used in the competition. The paper concludes with a discussion of the experiences from organizing this challenge.