Abstract: An ultrasound system and method are described for acquiring a sequence of ultrasound images of the carotid artery during the delivery of a contrast agent. Plaque in the images is identified and a time-intensity curve is calculated for pixels in the images. The intensity values before and after the arrival of contrast are compared to identify pixels or groups of pixels having perfusion. An anatomical image may be formed showing areas in an image of the plaque of the intensity and presence of perfusion, or the perfusion may be quantified by determining the percentage of pixels in the plaque image which exhibit perfusion. The extent and degree of perfusion is an indicator of the risk of plaque particulates in the blood stream which may lead to stroke-related symptoms.

Abstract: An ultrasound system and method are described for acquiring a sequence of ultrasound images of the carotid artery during the delivery of a contrast agent. Plaque in the images is identified and a time-intensity curve is calculated for pixels in the images. The intensity values before and after the arrival of contrast are compared to identify pixels or groups of pixels having perfusion. An anatomical image may be formed showing areas in an image of the plaque of the intensity and presence of perfusion, or the perfusion may be quantified by determining the percentage of pixels in the plaque image which exhibit perfusion. The extent and degree of perfusion is an indicator of the risk of plaque particulates in the blood stream which may lead to stroke-related symptoms.

Abstract: An ultrasound system and method are described for acquiring a sequence of ultrasound images of the carotid artery during the delivery of a contrast agent. Plaque in the images is identified and a time-intensity curve is calculated for pixels in the images. The intensity values before and after the arrival of contrast are compared to identify pixels or groups of pixels having perfusion. An anatomical image may be formed showing areas in an image of the plaque of the intensity and presence of perfusion, or the perfusion may be quantified by determining the percentage of pixels in the plaque image which exhibit perfusion. The extent and degree of perfusion is an indicator of the risk of plaque particulates in the blood stream which may lead to stroke-related symptoms.

Abstract: Ultrasonic imaging methods are described for eliminating the effects of physiological motion such as respiratory motion from image data of a sequence of images which is to be used for quantified analysis such as time-intensity curve computation. A bright reflector in the images of the loop which exhibits motional effects such as cyclical variation in brightness or position from image to image is identified and its variation used to identify cycles of motion. A phase or range of phases of the cycles is identified. Images acquired during the identified phase or phase range of the motion cycles during the loop are then used for quantified processing.

Abstract: An ultrasound system and method are described for acquiring a sequence of ultrasound images of the carotid artery during the delivery of a contrast agent. Plaque in the images is identified and a time-intensity curve is calculated for pixels in the images. The intensity values before and after the arrival of contrast are compared to identify pixels or groups of pixels having perfusion. An anatomical image may be formed showing areas in an image of the plaque of the intensity and presence of perfusion, or the perfusion may be quantified by determining the percentage of pixels in the plaque image which exhibit perfusion. The extent and degree of perfusion is an indicator of the risk of plaque particulates in the blood stream which may lead to stroke-related symptoms.

Abstract: Ultrasonic imaging methods are described for eliminating the effects of physiological motion such as respiratory motion from image data of a sequence of images which is to be used for quantified analysis such as time-intensity curve computation. A bright reflector in the images of the loop which exhibits motional effects such as cyclical variation in brightness or position from image to image is identified and its variation used to identify cycles of motion. A phase or range of phases of the cycles is identified. Images acquired during the identified phase or phase range of the motion cycles during the loop are then used for quantified processing.