Abstract: An ultrasound phantom is disclosed which can be used in an imaging method that quantifies data in decibels based on the log of a ratio of the signal intensity between adjacent regions within the ultrasound phantom. A variety of flow phantoms are disclosed that can simulate the flow of blood within surrounding tissue. In the embodiment claimed in this divisional application, the phantom is comprised of an open-cell foam matrix for generating back-scatter from an ultrasonic wave, and has at least two hollow regions which do not generate back-scatter from the ultrasonic wave. The hollow regions are separated and are not aligned within the flow phantom structure. Other phantoms disclosed and claimed in related U.S. Pat. No. 5,560,242 include a movable member, such as a movable belt having a density different than that of the surrounding foam.

Abstract: An ultrasound phantom and method of imaging are provided wherein the method quantifies data in decibels based on the log of a ratio of the signal intensity between adjacent regions within a ultrasound phantom such that the method can be used to quantitatively determine the imaging effectiveness of ultrasound devices at various depths by comparing quantitative data to a standard or absolute base. The phantom to be used with this method has multiple, regions which are characterized by an echogenic matrix and vertical, well-shaped sonolucent regions. The sonolucent regions are of the same shape and dimension and no sonolucent region shares the same axis. Ultrasound can be focused on one of the regions and the resulting ultrasound image quantifies the ability of the ultrasound to image regions existing at depths other than the depth of focus.

Abstract: An ultrasound phantom and method of imaging are provided wherein the method quantifies data in decibels based on the log of a ratio of the signal intensity between adjacent regions within an ultrasound phantom. A phantom is disclosed for use with the method wherein the phantom can simulate the flow of blood within surrounding tissue. In one embodiment, the phantom is comprised of an open-cell, reticulated foam material matrix having a first density and at least one movable belt having a second density. The belt rotates on pulleys to simulate blood flow. The geometric relationship between the moving belt and the surrounding open-cell foam material provides a quantitative basis of assessing the beam forming characteristics of the imager as well as the ability of the system to separate the Doppler shifted signal from the stationary clutter signal.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of processing and writing data to a database wherein the method comprises four broad steps: 1) manipulating data files into a more compact and efficient bit-encoded form and preparing the files to receive additional data to link the files; 2) linking the files with pointers to form an overall data structure; 3) determining the potential physical memory address for the files' data by optimizing available memory space for a given memory media wherein the files are partitioned into blocks of data which are sufficiently inclusive to permit retrieval of all required data with a single memory media read, yet small enough to allow all of the physical memory space to be fully utilized; and 4) generating reference tables to be interspersed with the data blocks wherein the reference tables track the physical location of related data, obviating the need for additional disk reads.