An integrated system for the non-invasive assessment of vessel wall and hemodynamic properties of large arteries by means of ultrasound. |
| |
Authors: | P J Brands A P Hoeks J Willigers C Willekes R S Reneman |
| |
Institution: | Department of Biophysics, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands. p.brands@bf.unimaas.nl |
| |
Abstract: | OBJECTIVES: To integrate methods for non-invasive assessment of vessel wall properties (diastolic diameter, distension waveform and intima-media thickness) and hemodynamic properties (blood flow velocity and shear rate distribution) of large arteries by means of dedicated ultrasound signal processing. METHODS: we have developed an arterial laboratory (ART-lab) system. ART-lab consists of software running on a standard personal computer, equipped with a data acquisition card for the acquisition of radio frequency (RF) ultrasound signals obtained with a conventional echo scanner. It operates either (1) off-line or (2) in real-time. Real-time operation is restricted to the assessment of vessel wall properties because of limitations in computational power. RESULTS: This paper provides an overview of ART-lab ultrasound radio frequency data acquisition and dedicated RF-signal processing methods. The capabilities of the system are illustrated with some typical applications. CONCLUSIONS: ART-lab in real-time mode is a useful tool for monitoring arterial vessel wall dynamics, while off-line it can be employed to investigate the elastic vessel wall properties in combination with hemodynamics, such as blood flow velocity and shear rate distribution. |
| |
Keywords: | |
|
|