Abstract: Method and apparatus for assessing tissue motion and deformation is provided. Sequential frames of data representative of tissue are accessed. A region of interest is defined on a current frame of data, and first locations of a set of features within the region of interest is identified. Each feature in the set of features identifies a location within the tissue. Second locations of the set of features are located on a consecutive frame of data. Velocity vectors are calculated based on the first and second locations of the set of features, and a continuous spatial and temporal velocity distribution is reconstructed by fitting the velocity vectors. The region of interest is modified on the consecutive frame based on the velocity distribution to follow motion and deformation of the tissue.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for ultrasound imaging wherein ultrasound imaging data is acquired at points in a plurality of imaging slices and the ultrasound imaging data is used to determine the relative positions of the slices.