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Methods and apparatus for blood speckle detection in an intravascular ultrasound imaging system

  • US 5,876,343 A
  • Filed: 09/23/1997
  • Issued: 03/02/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/23/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method of distinguishing tissue from blood in an intravascular ultrasound blood vessel image, said method comprising the steps of:

  • illuminating an intravascular target with ultrasonic RF energy to generate ultrasonic echoes from said intravascular target;

    transforming the ultrasonic echoes from the intravascular target into a received RF signal;

    performing spectral analysis on at least a portion of said received RF signal to provide intensity information on the spectrum of said received RF signal, said information including a first intensity strength at a high frequency within said spectrum and a second intensity strength at a low frequency within said spectrum;

    comparing said first intensity strength and said second intensity strength;

    determining that said intravascular target is tissue if said first intensity strength and said second intensity strength are approximately equal and that said intravascular target is blood if said first intensity strength is greater than said second intensity strength, wherein said determining step takes into account tissue and blood backscatter strength sensitivities at said high and low frequencies.

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