Patent ID: 7591787
Filing Date: 2009-09-22
Classification: A61B,G01S

Abstract:
1. A method of measuring the rate of blood flow comprising the steps of: orienting a first ultrasound beam in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the blood flow to be measured, evaluating the symmetry of the Doppler spectrum obtained from the backscattered echoes of said first ultrasound beam, reorienting responsive to said evaluated symmetry said first ultrasound beam such that the Doppler spectrum of the backscattered echoes of said first ultrasound beam is substantially symmetrical around the zero frequency, measuring the Doppler frequency of the backscattered echoes of a second ultrasound beam oriented at a fixed angle to said first reoriented ultrasound beam, and calculating the rate of blood flow based on said fixed angle and the measured Doppler frequency of the backscattered echoes of said second ultrasound beam.