Color Doppler Parameter Auto-Setting for Real-Time Vascular Imaging

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ultrasound systems require manual and time-consuming operations for setting parameters in color Doppler imaging modes, particularly for positioning the Color Doppler ROI, Doppler Sample Gate, and selecting the Color Doppler-Beamline Steering angle, which are not fully automatic and do not adapt to changes in the scanned target.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for real-time automatic setting of parameters using morphological features of color Doppler flow signals to determine the position of the ROI and Sample Gate, and calculate the steering and correction angles, utilizing directional filters and a quality factor to ensure accurate and fast adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual operations are used for setting Color Doppler parameters, then positioning accuracy can be achieved, but examination time increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidexamination speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-positioning of the Color Doppler ROI and Sample Gate by automatically analyzing vessel morphology and flow characteristics. The processor independently determines optimal parameters without requiring manual intervention, thereby maintaining positioning accuracy while significantly reducing examination time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-processes B-mode image data to extract vessel centerline information and flow characteristics before Color Doppler acquisition. By preparing vessel segmentation and morphological features in advance, the system enables rapid automatic parameter setting during the actual examination, improving both speed and consistency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If automatic techniques are used for parameter setting, then examination time is reduced, but the system does not fully adapt to changes in the scanned target in real time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexamination speedVSAvoidreal-time adaptation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors Color Doppler flow signals and vessel morphology during the examination. When changes in the scanned target are detected (such as probe movement or anatomical variations), the processor automatically recalculates optimal parameters by re-analyzing the updated flow data and vessel centerline information, ensuring real-time adaptation while maintaining examination efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If complex automatic algorithms are implemented, then real-time adaptation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereal-time adaptation capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The automatic parameter setting system is divided into independent functional modules: vessel segmentation module, flow characteristic analysis module, parameter calculation module, and real-time adaptation module. Each module processes specific aspects of the data independently, which simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining comprehensive adaptability through coordinated operation of these modular components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3467540B1Ultrasound method and ultrasound system for real time automatic setting of parameters for doppler imaging modes
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 ESAOTE
  • EP3467540B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3467540B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3467540B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

To fasten the examination time in an Ultrasound system in a vascular Exam routine, it is desirable to: automatically position in the best way Color Doppler ROI and/or Sample Gate; select the best Color Doppler/Beamline Steering angle; and set the Doppler Correction angle. An algorithm is able to process in real time the Doppler Signal to identify the Doppler Area where the most significant flow is present then it analyzes the 'Shape' of such Color Doppler Area identifying the Position and direction of the "main" Flow. The vascular Examination routine can be made easier and faster.