Doppler colour flow imaging and flow quantification with a novel forward-viewing intravascular ultrasound system

The aim of this work was to investigate the potential of a novel forward-viewing intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) system for flow quantification and colour flow imaging combined with B-mode imaging. A stiff 3.8-mm diameter catheter was used to scan a 72° sector ahead of its tip. Operating at 30 MHz, the catheter was integrated with an IVUS scanner and a radiofrequency (RF) data-acquisition system. RF data were software processed for producing B-mode images and deriving velocity estimates. Steady flow in the range of 45 to 146 mL/min toward the catheter, was used in wall-less tissue-mimicking phantoms simulating healthy lumen (8-mm diameter), 30% diameter symmetrical stenosis and 37% diameter eccentric stenosis. The system provided colour flow images and good estimation of peak velocity and volumetric flows (within 1% to 9% and 16% to 48%, respectively, of calculated values) at 5 to 7 mm distal to the catheter. A sector forward-viewing IVUS imaging/Doppler system is suitable for combined anatomical and functional assessment of stenosed vessels.