李 太宝, 地挽 隆夫, 雨宮 慎一, 清水 英夫, 東泉 隆夫, 松島 みどり

Taibao LI, Takao JlBIKI, Shinichi AMEMIYA, Hideo SHIMIZU, Takao HlGASHIIZUMI, Midori MATSUSIMA

GE横河メディカルシステム(秩)

GE Yokogawa Medical Systems, Ltd.

キーワード : Blood vessel, Power Doppler, Real time, Topography, Ultrasound

Topography was first used as a technique for mapping the data in a two-dimensional distribution of geographical altitude. Placing artificial shadow on one side of a mountain range makes the image appear more realistic. Similarly, displaying blood flow in medical ultrasound imaging, data from a two-dimensional distribution of power Doppler signals, produces essentially the same effect. Here we used topography with the power Doppler mode of a commercial medical ultrasound scanner. This method produces images in real time and shows the rise and pulsation of blood vessels most impressively. Moreover, it increases the contrasts at peak locations of power distribution remarkably, making the doscrimination of approaching vessels easier. This paper presents the methodology of this new technique and gives examples showing blood flow in the kidney.