Method and system for simultaneously presenting doppler signals of a multi-gated doppler signal corresponding with different anatomical structures

A system and method for simultaneously presenting Doppler signals of a Multi-Gated Doppler (MGD) signal corresponding to different anatomical structures is provided. The method includes receiving an MGD signal having a plurality of Doppler signals. The method includes analyzing the MGD signal to select multiple gates, each of the gates corresponding with a Doppler signal, and each of the selected gates associated with a different anatomical structure. The method includes selecting a set of parameters for each of the selected gates and applying each selected set of parameters for each of the selected gates. The selected set of parameters for each of the selected gates may be one or both of image acquisition parameters or display processing parameters. The method includes simultaneously presenting the Doppler signal for each of the selected gates at a display system after the each selected set of parameters is applied.

FIELD

Certain embodiments relate to ultrasound imaging. More specifically, certain embodiments relate to a method and system for simultaneously displaying at least two Doppler signals of a Multi-Gated Doppler (MGD) signal corresponding to different anatomical structures. In various embodiments, each of the Doppler signals corresponding to the different anatomical structures is acquired based on a different set of acquisition parameters and/or processed based on a different set of display processing parameters.

BACKGROUND

Ultrasound imaging is a medical imaging technique for imaging organs and soft tissues in a human body. Ultrasound imaging uses real time, non-invasive high frequency sound waves to produce a two-dimensional (2D) image and/or a three-dimensional (3D) image.

Pulsed-Wave (PW) and Continuous-Wave (CW) Doppler signals are rich signals that describe the spectrum of tissue and fluid velocities in a small volume from which the signals are acquired. During an ultrasound examination of a patient, it may be desirable to inspect the Doppler signal of multiple different anatomical structures, such as a mitral inflow signal and a tissue Doppler signal of a lateral basal point during a diastolic dysfunction examination. It may also be desirable for each of the Doppler signals corresponding to the different anatomical structures to be acquired and/or processed using different parameters The ultrasound operator performing the examination may attempt to collect the Doppler signals corresponding to each of the different anatomical structures consecutively, which is time consuming, requires special training and proficiency, and is subject to measurement variability that may affect the accuracy of the diagnosis. For example, the consecutive acquisition may lengthen the amount of time needed to obtain and process the Doppler signals of the multiple different anatomical structures. As another example, the consecutive acquisition may result in the Doppler signals of the multiple different anatomical structures being acquired during different heart cycles and/or different breathing cycles, which may reduce the accuracy of the diagnosis due to the variability of the measurements.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A system and/or method is provided for simultaneously presenting Doppler signals of a Multi-Gated Doppler (MGD) signal corresponding to different anatomical structures, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain embodiments may be found in a method and system for simultaneously presenting Doppler signals of a Multi-Gated Doppler (MGD) signal corresponding to different anatomical structures. Various embodiments have the technical effect of providing enhanced visualization of multiple Doppler signals, each corresponding to a different anatomical structure. Moreover, certain embodiments have the technical effect of acquiring Doppler signals corresponding to different anatomical structures based on different acquisition parameters. Furthermore, aspects of the present disclosure have the technical effect of processing Doppler signals corresponding to different anatomical structures based on different display processing parameters.

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. To the extent that the figures illustrate diagrams of the functional blocks of various embodiments, the functional blocks are not necessarily indicative of the division between hardware circuitry. Thus, for example, one or more of the functional blocks (e.g., processors or memories) may be implemented in a single piece of hardware (e.g., a general purpose signal processor or a block of random access memory, hard disk, or the like) or multiple pieces of hardware. Similarly, the programs may be stand alone programs, may be incorporated as subroutines in an operating system, may be functions in an installed software package, and the like. It should be understood that the various embodiments are not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the embodiments may be combined, or that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural, logical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the various embodiments. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Also as used herein, the term “image” broadly refers to both viewable images and data representing a viewable image. However, many embodiments generate (or are configured to generate) at least one viewable image. In addition, as used herein, the phrase “image” is used to refer to an ultrasound mode such as B-mode (2D mode), M-mode, three-dimensional (3D) mode, CF-mode, PW Doppler, CW Doppler, MGD, and/or sub-modes of B-mode and/or CF such as Shear Wave Elasticity Imaging (SWEI), TVI, Angio, B-flow, BMI, BMI_Angio, and in some cases also MM, CM, TVD where the “image” and/or “plane” includes a single beam or multiple beams.

As used herein, the term “Doppler” may refer to Pulsed-Wave (PW) Doppler and/or Continuous-Wave (CW) Doppler. In a preferred embodiment, the Doppler signals may be PW Doppler signals.

Furthermore, the term processor or processing unit, as used herein, refers to any type of processing unit that can carry out the required calculations needed for the various embodiments, such as single or multi-core: CPU, Accelerated Processing Unit (APU), Graphics Board, DSP, FPGA, ASIC or a combination thereof.

It should be noted that various embodiments described herein that generate or form images may include processing for forming images that in some embodiments includes beamforming and in other embodiments does not include beamforming. For example, an image can be formed without beamforming, such as by multiplying the matrix of demodulated data by a matrix of coefficients so that the product is the image, and wherein the process does not form any “beams”. Also, forming of images may be performed using channel combinations that may originate from more than one transmit event (e.g., synthetic aperture techniques).

In various embodiments, ultrasound processing to form images is performed, for example, including ultrasound beamforming, such as receive beamforming, in software, firmware, hardware, or a combination thereof. One implementation of an ultrasound system having a software beamformer architecture formed in accordance with various embodiments is illustrated inFIG. 1.

FIG. 1is a block diagram of an exemplary ultrasound system that is operable to simultaneously present Doppler signals321-326of a Multi-Gated Doppler (MGD) signal320corresponding to different anatomical structures, in accordance with various embodiments. Referring toFIG. 1, there is shown an ultrasound system100. The ultrasound system100comprises a transmitter102, an ultrasound probe104, a transmit beamformer110, a receiver118, a receive beamformer120, a RF processor124, a RF/IQ buffer126, a user input module130, a signal processor132, an image buffer136, a display system134, and an archive138.

The transmitter102may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to drive an ultrasound probe104. The ultrasound probe104may comprise a two dimensional (2D) array of piezoelectric elements. The ultrasound probe104may comprise a group of transmit transducer elements106and a group of receive transducer elements108, that normally constitute the same elements. In certain embodiment, the ultrasound probe104may be operable to acquire ultrasound image data covering at least a substantial portion of an anatomy, such as the heart, a blood vessel, or any suitable anatomical structure.

The transmit beamformer110may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to control the transmitter102which, through a transmit sub-aperture beamformer114, drives the group of transmit transducer elements106to emit ultrasonic transmit signals into a region of interest (e.g., human, animal, underground cavity, physical structure and the like). The transmitted ultrasonic signals may be back-scattered from structures in the object of interest, like blood cells or tissue, to produce echoes. The echoes are received by the receive transducer elements108.

The group of receive transducer elements108in the ultrasound probe104may be operable to convert the received echoes into analog signals, undergo sub-aperture beamforming by a receive sub-aperture beamformer116and are then communicated to a receiver118. The receiver118may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to receive the signals from the receive sub-aperture beamformer116. The analog signals may be communicated to one or more of the plurality of A/D converters122.

The plurality of A/D converters122may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to convert the analog signals from the receiver118to corresponding digital signals. The plurality of A/D converters122are disposed between the receiver118and the RF processor124. Notwithstanding, the disclosure is not limited in this regard. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the plurality of A/D converters122may be integrated within the receiver118.

The RF processor124may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to demodulate the digital signals output by the plurality of A/D converters122. In accordance with an embodiment, the RF processor124may comprise a complex demodulator (not shown) that is operable to demodulate the digital signals to form I/Q data pairs that are representative of the corresponding echo signals. The RF or I/Q signal data may then be communicated to an RF/IQ buffer126. The RF/IQ buffer126may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to provide temporary storage of the RF or I/Q signal data, which is generated by the RF processor124.

The receive beamformer120may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to perform digital beamforming processing to, for example, sum the delayed channel signals received from RF processor124via the RF/IQ buffer126and output a beam summed signal. The resulting processed information may be the beam summed signal that is output from the receive beamformer120and communicated to the signal processor132. In accordance with some embodiments, the receiver118, the plurality of A/D converters122, the RF processor124, and the beamformer120may be integrated into a single beamformer, which may be digital. In various embodiments, the ultrasound system100comprises a plurality of receive beamformers120. Each of the receive beamformers120may be configured to perform digital beamforming to generate one of a plurality of Doppler signals that together form an MGD signal. In an exemplary embodiment, the Doppler signals of the MGD signal may be acquired simultaneously. Additionally and/or alternatively, the ultrasound system100may acquire different portions of the MGD signal using beam interleaving. For example, different portions of the MGD signal may be acquired based on different acquisition parameters, such as different pulse repetition frequencies or any suitable acquisition parameter. In an exemplary embodiment, beam interleaving may be executed, for example, to acquire Doppler signals of different anatomical structures using different acquisition parameters.

The user input module130may be utilized to input patient data, scan parameters, settings, select protocols and/or templates, select an examination type, select desired anatomical structures, select acquisition and/or display processing parameters, select a measurement type, and the like. In an exemplary embodiment, the user input module130may be operable to configure, manage and/or control operation of one or more components and/or modules in the ultrasound system100. In this regard, the user input module130may be operable to configure, manage and/or control operation of the transmitter102, the ultrasound probe104, the transmit beamformer110, the receiver118, the receive beamformer120, the RF processor124, the RF/IQ buffer126, the user input module130, the signal processor132, the image buffer136, the display system134, and/or the archive138. The user input module130may include button(s), rotary encoder(s), a touchscreen, motion tracking, voice recognition, a mousing device, keyboard, camera and/or any other device capable of receiving a user directive. In certain embodiments, one or more of the user input modules130may be integrated into other components, such as the display system134, for example. As an example, user input module130may include a touchscreen display.

In various embodiments, an examination type and/or desired anatomical structures may be selected at the onset of an imaging procedure in response to a directive received via the user input module130. For example, an ultrasound operator may identify a diastolic dysfunction examination via the user input module130so that the signal processor132may analyze a received MGD signal to select gates corresponding with a mitral inflow signal and a tissue Doppler signal. As another example, the ultrasound operator may select the desired anatomical structure via the user input module130for detection by the signal processor132in the MGD signal. Moreover, the ultrasound operator may select, via the user input module130, desired Doppler signal characteristics and/or combinations of characteristics for detection by the signal processor132. Examples of Doppler signal characteristics may include highest or lowest resistive index (RI) or pulsatility index (PI) in a region, most or least spectral broadening, highest and lowest velocity (frequency shift), highest or lowest highest acceleration, highest or lowest acceleration time, highest or lowest ratio of cardiac pulsatility versus respiratory phasicity (which may help identify arterial versus venous flow), and the like. For example, the ultrasound operator may select, via the user input module130, to identify and display the waveform with the highest velocity and most turbulence and the waveform with the highest time average peak and negative Doppler shift.

In certain embodiments, one or more measurements may be selected in response to a directive received via the user input module130. As an example, an ultrasound operator may select an E/e′ measurement via the user input module130so that the signal processor132may perform and present the measurement at the display system132to provide an estimated filling pressure that may be useful in diagnosing diastolic dysfunction. Examples of other measurement may include, among other things, carotid corrected flow time, velocity, time average peak, and the like. In an exemplary embodiment, acquisition parameters and/or display processing parameters for application to different anatomical structures may be identified and stored in archive138for retrieval by the signal processor132during an imaging procedure in response to a directive received via the user input module130. For example, the ultrasound operator may select, via the user input module130, a higher pulse repetition frequency for gates corresponding to blood flow anatomical structures and a lower pulse repetition frequency for gates corresponding to muscle tissue anatomical structures. The acquisition parameters may be stored at archive138or any suitable data storage medium for retrieval and application after the gates associated with the desired anatomical structures are identified. As another example, the ultrasound operator may select, via the user input module130, a first set of display parameters for gates corresponding to blood flow anatomical structures and a second set of display parameters for gates corresponding to muscle tissue anatomical structure. The sets of display processing parameters may include scale, gain, brightness, contrast, and the like. The sets of display processing parameters may be stored at archive138or any suitable data storage medium for retrieval and application after the gates associated with the desired anatomical structures are identified. In a representative embodiment, MGD ultrasound data and/or a corresponding 2D image of a region of interest may be retrieved in response to a directive received via the user input module130.

The signal processor132may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to process ultrasound scan data (i.e., summed IQ signal) for generating ultrasound images for presentation on a display system134. The signal processor132is operable to perform one or more processing operations according to a plurality of selectable ultrasound modalities on the acquired ultrasound scan data. In an exemplary embodiment, the signal processor132may be operable to perform Doppler processing, compounding, motion tracking, and/or signal processing in time and frequency domains, among other things. Acquired ultrasound scan data may be processed in real-time during a scanning session as the echo signals are received. Additionally or alternatively, the ultrasound scan data may be stored temporarily in the RF/IQ buffer126during a scanning session and processed in less than real-time in a live or off-line operation. In various embodiments, the processed image data can be presented at the display system134and/or may be stored at the archive138. The archive138may be a local archive, a Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS), or any suitable device for storing images and related information. In the exemplary embodiment, the signal processor132may comprise a gate selection module140and a parameter application module150.

The ultrasound system100may be operable to continuously acquire ultrasound scan data at a frame rate that is suitable for the imaging situation in question. Typical frame rates range from 20-70 but may be lower or higher. The acquired ultrasound scan data may be displayed on the display system134at a display-rate that can be the same as the frame rate, or slower or faster. An image buffer136is included for storing processed frames of acquired ultrasound scan data that are not scheduled to be displayed immediately. Preferably, the image buffer136is of sufficient capacity to store at least several minutes' worth of frames of ultrasound scan data. The frames of ultrasound scan data are stored in a manner to facilitate retrieval thereof according to its order or time of acquisition. The image buffer136may be embodied as any known data storage medium.

The signal processor132may include a gate selection module140that comprises suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to analyze an MGD signal to automatically select gates corresponding to multiple different desired anatomical structures in a region of interest. The gate associated with each of the different desired anatomical structures may be selected by the gate selection module140based on one or more criterion, such as Doppler signal strength, velocity, systolic and/or diastolic flow time, resistive index (RI), pulsatility index (PI), spectral broadening (e.g., turbulent or laminar flow), acceleration, acceleration time, cardiac pulsatility versus respiratory phasicity (which may help identify arterial versus venous flow), spectrum tracking, cycle tracking, B-mode tracking, and/or combinations of the criterion. For example, the gate selection module140may select one of the gates based on a strongest Doppler signal strength by choosing in each sample time the gate that produces the maximal sum of absolute or squared spectrum values. As another example, the tracking module150may select one of the gates based on a highest velocity and/or laminar flow. In a representative embodiment, the gate selection module140may be configured to select the gate corresponding to the Doppler signal having the closest spectrum to a spectrum of a stored reference Doppler signal associated with a particular desired anatomical structure by applying a mean squared error or any suitable signal comparison technique. In certain embodiments, the gate selection module140may select the gate corresponding to one of the desired anatomical structures at a current time sample in a current heart and/or breathing cycle based on a comparison with a stored reference Doppler signal associated with the particular desired anatomical structure having a corresponding time sample in a reference heart and/or breathing cycle. In various embodiments, the gate selection module140may supplement the MGD signal analysis with analysis of a corresponding 2D image. The 2D ultrasound image may be a B-mode image, color Doppler image, or any suitable 2D image, being acquired by the ultrasound system100. For example, the gate selection module140may select the gates corresponding to the desired anatomical structures based at least in part on analyzing a B-mode image associated with the MGD signal using image detection algorithms and techniques to identify the desired anatomical structures and corresponding gates in the B-mode image. In certain embodiments, the gate selection module140may apply a plurality of the above-mentioned criterion to select the gate corresponding to each of the multiple different desired anatomical structures. For example, the gate selection module140may weigh the spectrum tracking and the resemblance of the B-mode image frame features to select the appropriate gate corresponding to a particular desired anatomical structure in the region of interest.

FIG. 3illustrates an exemplary 2D image310having gate locations311-316that correspond to Doppler signals321-326of an MGD signal320, in accordance with various embodiments. Referring toFIG. 3, a display system134may present a display300having a plurality of simultaneously presented Doppler signals321-326of an MGD signal320. MGD allows simultaneous acquisition of Doppler signals321-326from many locations (i.e., gates311-316). Each of the Doppler signals321-326of the MGD signal320may correspond with a different gate location in a region of interest. The different gate locations may correspond with different anatomical structures in the region of interest, such as blood flow, muscle tissue, and the like. In various embodiments, a 2D ultrasound image310may be presented with the plurality of simultaneously presented Doppler signals321-326of the MGD signal320. In embodiments displaying a corresponding 2D ultrasound image310, at least a portion of the pixels in the 2D ultrasound image310may correspond with different gates311-316of an MGD signal320. Although 6 gates311-316are labeled inFIG. 3, any suitable number of gates may be implemented, such as 10 gates, 16 gates, or in a preferred embodiment, 256 gates. Each of the gates311-316may be associated with locations of a pixel or group of pixels in the 2D ultrasound image310.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 3, MGD signals320may be acquired with or without 2D images310. In various embodiments, acquired MGD signals320, and optionally 2D images310, may be stored in archive138or any suitable data storage medium for retrieval and post-processing. In an exemplary embodiment, the gate selection module140may analyze the MGD signal320, and optionally the 2D image310, to detect gates311-316corresponding to multiple different desired anatomical structures. For example, an operator may select an examination type, anatomical structures, gate selection criterion, and/or an ultrasound measurement via a user input module130. The operator selection may correspond with gate selection criterion for analyzing Doppler signals321-326of an MGD signal320, and optionally a 2D ultrasound image310, to detect gates corresponding to multiple different desirable anatomical structures. As an example, an operator-selected diastolic dysfunction examination type or an operator selected E/e′ measurement may correspond with a first gate selection criterion for detecting a mitral inflow signal and a second gate selection criterion for detecting a tissue Doppler signal from the lateral basal segment. The gate selection module140retrieves the first and second gate selection criterion from archive138or any suitable data storage medium and applies the first and second gate selection criterion to the MGD signal320, and optionally the 2D ultrasound image310, to detect the gate311-316and associated Doppler signal321-326corresponding to each of the multiple different desirable anatomical structures, such as the mitral inflow signal and the tissue Doppler signal. The identification of the detected gates311-316and/or the associated Doppler signals321-326may be stored in archive138and/or any suitable data storage medium. The gate selection module140may provide the identification of the detected gates311-316and/or the associated Doppler signals321-326to the parameter application module150for application of acquisition and/or display processing parameters as described in more detail below.

FIG. 4illustrates an exemplary 2D image410having automatically selected gate locations412,414associated with Doppler signals of an MGD signal, in accordance with various embodiments. Referring toFIG. 4, a display system134may present a 2D ultrasound image410. The 2D ultrasound image410may be a B-mode image, color Doppler image, or any suitable 2D image, being acquired by the ultrasound system100. The ultrasound image410may include a region of interest405corresponding with a location where an MGD signal is acquired. The gate selection module140of the signal processor132may analyze the MGD signal to detect gate locations412,414corresponding with multiple different desired anatomical structures. For example, the gate selection module140may select a first gate412associated with a Doppler signal across a mitral valve opening and a second gate414associated with tissue Doppler of the mitral valve annulus to perform an E/e′ ratio measurement (i.e., the ratio of mitral peak velocity of early filling (E) to early diastolic mitral annular velocity (e′)) and/or to simultaneously present the Doppler signals corresponding to the gate locations412,414at a display system134.

Referring again toFIG. 1, the signal processor132may include a parameter application module150that comprises suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to apply image acquisition parameters and/or display processing parameters in response to the selection of the gates311-316,412,414associated with Doppler signals321-326corresponding to the multiple different desired anatomical structures by the gate selection module140. For example, the parameter application module150may be configured to receive sets of image acquisition parameters corresponding to each of the selected gates311-316,412,414. The image acquisition parameters may be received from an ultrasound operator via the user input module130and/or may be retrieved from archive138or any suitable data storage medium. The parameter application module150may control the ultrasound system100to acquire an MGD signal320having Doppler signals321-326corresponding to the selected gates311-316based on the image acquisition parameters. The Doppler signals321-326corresponding to the selected gates311-316,412,414may be acquired by applying the different sets of image acquisition parameters. As an example, the parameter application module150may control the ultrasound system100to acquire a Doppler signal of a first selected gate412associated with a mitral valve opening based on a first set of image acquisition parameters and may control the ultrasound system100to acquire a Doppler signal of a second selected gate414associated with the mitral valve annulus based on a second set of image acquisition parameters. The first and second sets of image acquisition parameters may include different values associated with the parameters. For example, the first set of image acquisition parameters may define a first, higher pulse repetition frequency (PRF) for acquisition of ultrasound data corresponding to blood flow and the second set of image acquisition parameters may define a second, lower PRF for acquisition of ultrasound data corresponding to muscle tissue. In various embodiments, the MGD signal320may be acquired by performing beam interleaving. For example, the ultrasound system100may alternate between transmitting four ultrasound pulses at the first selected gate412associated with the blood flow anatomical structure and one ultrasound pulse at the second selected gate414associated with the muscle tissue anatomical structure. The image acquisition parameters may include PRF, depth, intensity, and/or any suitable image acquisition parameters. Each of the Doppler signals321-326of the MGD signal320acquired based on the appropriate set of image acquisition parameters may be simultaneously presented at the display system134and/or processed by the parameter application module150.

As another example, the parameter application module150may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to apply display processing parameters in response to the selection of the gates311-316,412,414associated with Doppler signals321-326corresponding to the multiple different desired anatomical structures by the gate selection module140. For example, the parameter application module150may be configured to receive sets of display processing parameters corresponding to each of the selected gates311-316,412,414. The display processing parameters may be received from an ultrasound operator via the user input module130and/or may be retrieved from archive138or any suitable data storage medium. The parameter application module150may process each of the Doppler signals321-326associated with each of the selected gates311-316,412,414by applying the appropriate set of display processing parameters. In various embodiments, each set of display processing parameters may be configured to enhance visualization of the corresponding Doppler signal321-326based on the associated anatomical structure. For example, a first set of display processing parameters may be optimized for displaying a Doppler signal of a blood flow anatomical structure and a different second set of display processing parameters may be optimized for displaying a Doppler signal of a muscle tissue anatomical structure. As another example, a first set of display processing parameters may be optimized for displaying a Doppler signal of a venous blood flow anatomical structure and a different second set of display processing parameters may be optimized for displaying a Doppler signal of an arterial blood flow anatomical structure. The display processing parameters may include scale, brightness, gain, contrast, and/or any suitable display processing parameter. In a representative embodiment, each of the Doppler signals321-326of the MGD signal320selected by the gate selection module140and processed by the parameter application module150based on the appropriate set of display processing parameters is simultaneously presented at the display system134.

Still referring toFIG. 1, the signal processor132may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to automatically perform measurements on the simultaneously displayed Doppler signals321-326of the MGD signal320selected by the gate selection module140and acquired and/or processed by the parameter application module150based on the appropriate set of image acquisition and/or display processing parameters. For example, the signal processor132may receive a selected examination type, anatomical structures, gate selection criterion, and/or an ultrasound measurement. The selection may be received by the signal processor132via a user input module130and/or by the signal processor132retrieving stored or default setting from archive138and/or any suitable data storage medium. The selection may identify and/or correspond with one or more measurements. The measurements may include an E/e′ ratio, carotid corrected flow time, velocity, time average peak, and/or any suitable measurement. For example, a selection of a diastolic dysfunction examination may correspond with an E/e′ ratio measurement that may be automatically performed by the signal processor132and presented with the simultaneous display of the Doppler signals321-326at the display system134.

FIG. 2is a block diagram of an exemplary medical workstation200that is operable to simultaneously present Doppler signals321-326of an MGD signal320corresponding to different anatomical structures, in accordance with various embodiments. In various embodiments, components of the medical workstation200may share various characteristics with components of the ultrasound system100, as illustrated inFIG. 1and described above. Referring toFIG. 2, the medical workstation200comprises a display system134, a signal processor132, an archive138, and a user input module130, among other things. Components of the medical workstation200may be implemented in software, hardware, firmware, and/or the like. The various components of the medical workstation200may be communicatively linked. Components of the medical workstation200may be implemented separately and/or integrated in various forms. For example, the display system134and the user input module130may be integrated as a touchscreen display.

The display system134may be any device capable of communicating visual information to a user. For example, a display system134may include a liquid crystal display, a light emitting diode display, and/or any suitable display or displays. The display system134can be operable to display information from the signal processor132and/or archive138, such as B-mode images310,410, color Doppler images, Doppler signals321-326, ultrasound measurements, and/or any suitable information. In various embodiments, the display system134is operable to simultaneously present at least two Doppler signals321-326corresponding to different selected anatomical structures acquired and/or processed based on different sets of acquisition and/or display processing parameters.

The signal processor132may be one or more central processing units, microprocessors, microcontrollers, and/or the like. The signal processor132may be an integrated component, or may be distributed across various locations, for example. The signal processor132comprises a gate selection module140and a parameter application module150, as described above with reference toFIG. 1, and may be capable of receiving input information from a user input module130and/or archive138, generating an output displayable by a display system134, and manipulating the output in response to input information from a user input module130, among other things. The signal processor132, gate selection module140, and/or parameter application module150may be capable of executing any of the method(s) and/or set(s) of instructions discussed herein in accordance with the various embodiments, for example.

The archive138may be one or more computer-readable memories integrated with the medical workstation200and/or communicatively coupled (e.g., over a network) to the medical workstation200, such as a Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS), a server, a hard disk, floppy disk, CD, CD-ROM, DVD, compact storage, flash memory, random access memory, read-only memory, electrically erasable and programmable read-only memory and/or any suitable memory. The archive138may include databases, libraries, sets of information, or other storage accessed by and/or incorporated with the signal processor132, for example. The archive138may be able to store data temporarily or permanently, for example. The archive138may be capable of storing medical image data, data generated by the signal processor132, and/or instructions readable by the signal processor132, among other things. In various embodiments, the archive138stores medical image data, image acquisition parameters, display processing parameters, instructions for analyzing an MGD signal320to automatically select gates311-316,412,414corresponding to multiple different desired anatomical structures in a region of interest405, instructions for applying image acquisition parameters and/or display processing parameters to Doppler signals321-326in response to the selection of the gates311-316,412,414, and simultaneously presenting the Doppler signals321-326corresponding to different selected anatomical structures acquired and/or processed based on different sets of acquisition and/or display processing parameters, for example.

The user input module130may include any device(s) capable of communicating information from a user and/or at the direction of the user to the signal processor132of the medical workstation200, for example. As discussed above with respect toFIG. 1, the user input module130may include a touch panel, button(s), a mousing device, keyboard, rotary encoder, trackball, camera, voice recognition, and/or any other device capable of receiving a user directive.

FIG. 5is a flow chart500illustrating exemplary steps502-518that may be utilized for simultaneously presenting Doppler signals321-326of an MGD signal320corresponding to different anatomical structures, in accordance with exemplary embodiments. Referring toFIG. 5, there is shown a flow chart500comprising exemplary steps502through518. Certain embodiments may omit one or more of the steps, and/or perform the steps in a different order than the order listed, and/or combine certain of the steps discussed below. For example, some steps may not be performed in certain embodiments. As a further example, certain steps may be performed in a different temporal order, including simultaneously, than listed below.

At step502, a probe104of an ultrasound system100may be positioned to acquire a MGD signal320of a region of interest405. For example, the ultrasound system100may acquire the MGD signal320with an ultrasound probe104positioned over a region of interest405, such as venous blood flow, arterial blood flow, mitral inflow, muscle tissue, and/or any suitable anatomical structures. In various embodiments, the probe104may be operable to acquire 2D ultrasound image data310,410corresponding to the MGD signal320.

At step504, a signal processor132may retrieve MGD ultrasound data320of a region of interest405. For example, the signal processor132of a workstation200or ultrasound system100may retrieve the MGD ultrasound data320from an archive138or any suitable data storage medium. In various embodiments, the signal processor132may retrieve 2D images310,410corresponding to the MGD ultrasound data320.

At step506, the signal processor132of the ultrasound system100may analyze the MGD signal320to select gates311-316,412,414corresponding to multiple different desired anatomical structures in the region of interest405. For example, a gate selection module140of the signal processor132may analyze the MGD signal320, and optionally the 2D image310, to detect gates311-316,414,416corresponding to multiple different desired anatomical structures. In various embodiments, the desired anatomical structures may be specified by an ultrasound operator or other medical professional. For example, the operator may select an examination type, anatomical structures, gate selection criterion, and/or an ultrasound measurement via a user input module130. The operator selection may correspond with multiple desired anatomical structures. The operator selection may be associated with gate selection criterion for analyzing Doppler signals321-326of an MGD signal320, and optionally a 2D ultrasound image310, to detect gates311-316,412,414corresponding to the multiple different desirable anatomical structures. The gate selection criterion may include various Doppler characteristics, and optionally 2D image characteristics, such as Doppler signal strength, velocity, resistive index (RI), pulsatility index (PI), spectral broadening (e.g., turbulent or laminar flow), acceleration, acceleration time, cardiac pulsatility versus respiratory phasicity, spectrum tracking, cycle tracking, B-mode tracking, and/or combinations of the criterion. The gate selection module140retrieves the gate selection criterion corresponding to each of the desired anatomical structures from archive138or any suitable data storage medium and applies each of the gate selection criterion to the MGD signal320, and optionally the 2D ultrasound image310, to detect the gate311-316and associated Doppler signal321-326corresponding to each of the multiple different desirable anatomical structures. The identification of the detected gates311-316and/or the associated Doppler signals321-326may be stored in archive138and/or any suitable data storage medium. The detected gates311-316,412,414and/or the associated Doppler signals321-326identified by the gate selection module140may be provided to the parameter application module150of the signal processor132.

At step508, the signal processor132may select parameters for each of the selected gates311-316,412,414. For example, a parameter application module150of the signal processor132may receive the detected gates311-316,412,414and/or the associated Doppler signals321-326from archive138and/or the gate selection module140. The parameter application module150may select the appropriate set of image acquisition parameters and/or display processing parameters based on the anatomical structure associated with each of the detected gates311-316,412,414and/or the associated Doppler signals321-326. The parameter application module150may be configured to receive the selected sets of image acquisition parameters and/or display processing parameters corresponding to each of the selected gates311-316,412,414from an ultrasound operator via the user input module130and/or from archive138or any suitable data storage medium. The image acquisition parameters may include PRF, depth, intensity, and/or any suitable image acquisition parameters. The display processing parameters may include brightness, gain, contrast, and/or any suitable display processing parameter. Each of the sets of image acquisition parameters and/or display processing parameters may be defined to provide enhanced visualization of the Doppler signal321-326corresponding to the particular anatomical structure to which the set of parameters is associated.

At step510, the signal processor132determines whether the selected parameters are image acquisition parameters. For example, if the parameter application module150receives image acquisition parameters corresponding to each of the selected gates311-316,412,414, the process proceeds to step512. If the parameter application module150does not receive image acquisition parameters corresponding to each of the selected gates311-316,412,414, the process proceeds to step514.

At step512, the ultrasound system100may acquire an MGD signal320at the selected gates311-316,412,414based on the selected image acquisition parameters for each of the selected gates311-316,412,414. For example, the parameter application module150of the signal processor132may control the ultrasound system100to acquire the MGD signal320having Doppler signals321-326corresponding to the selected gates311-316based on the image acquisition parameters selected at step508. The Doppler signals321-326corresponding to the selected gates311-316,412,414are acquired by applying the different sets of image acquisition parameters. The different sets of image acquisition parameters may include at least some different values associated with the parameters. In various embodiments, the MGD signal320may be acquired by performing beam interleaving.

At step514, the signal processor132determines whether the selected parameters are display processing parameters. For example, if the parameter application module150receives display processing parameters corresponding to each of the selected gates311-316,412,414, the process proceeds to step516. If the parameter application module150does not receive display processing parameters corresponding to each of the selected gates311-316,412,414, the process proceeds to step518.

At step516, the signal processor132may apply display processing parameters to the Doppler signals321-326associated with each selected gate311-316,412,414based on the selected display processing parameters for each selected gate311-316,412,414. For example, the parameter application module150of the signal processor132may process each of the Doppler signals321-326associated with each of the selected gates311-316,412,414by applying the appropriate set of display processing parameters selected at step508. In various embodiments, each set of display processing parameters may be configured to enhance visualization of the corresponding Doppler signal321-326based on the associated anatomical structure.

At step518, the signal processor132may simultaneously display the Doppler signals321-326associated with each of the selected gate311-316that corresponds to the multiple different desired anatomical structures in the region of interest405. For example, the parameter application module150of the signal processor132may present each of the Doppler signals321-326simultaneously at a display system134of the ultrasound system100and/or workstation200. In various embodiments, the Doppler signals321-326may be presented with 2D ultrasound image data310,410and/or measurements performed by the signal processor132. For example, the signal processor132may be operable to automatically perform measurements on the simultaneously displayed Doppler signals321-326of the MGD signal320selected by the gate selection module140and acquired and/or processed by the parameter application module150based on the appropriate set of image acquisition and/or display processing parameters. The measurements may include an E/e′ ratio, carotid corrected flow time, velocity, time average peak, and/or any suitable measurement. The measurements performed may correspond with an operator-selected examination type, anatomical structures, gate selection criterion, and/or ultrasound measurement.

Other embodiments may provide a computer readable device and/or a non-transitory computer readable medium, and/or a machine readable device and/or a non-transitory machine readable medium, having stored thereon, a machine code and/or a computer program having at least one code section executable by a machine and/or a computer, thereby causing the machine and/or computer to perform the steps as described herein for simultaneously presenting Doppler signals of a Multi-Gated Doppler (MGD) signal corresponding to different anatomical structures.

Accordingly, the present disclosure may be realized in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. The present disclosure may be realized in a centralized fashion in at least one computer system, or in a distributed fashion where different elements are spread across several interconnected computer systems. Any kind of computer system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein is suited.