Patent ID: 6547736
Filing Date: 2003-04-15
Classification: A61B,G01S,H04B

Abstract:
A method for detecting embolic events using a Doppler ultrasound system sensing motion along an ultrasound beam, the Doppler ultrasound system compiling for a plurality of time periods movement information including detected Doppler shift signal power and associated velocity for a plurality of locations along the ultrasound beam, the method comprising:subtracting a respective background power level from the compiled movement information for each of the plurality of locations and time periods; for each time period, removing movement information having a detected velocity less than a velocity threshold from the subtracted compiled movement information; performing for each time period a plurality of binary characterization tests to determine whether the resultant compiled movement information is indicative of an embolic event; and reviewing the results of the binary characterization tests to reject any false positive identifications of an embolic event.