Abstract: Ultrasound imaging data is collected at an adjustable collection image frame rate. Echoes produced from transmission of ultrasound energy into a subject's body are processed by an image frame acquisition device to produce a series of image frames. Each image frame comprises data representing an image of a portion of the subject's body at a given time. The image frames include collection image frames and interrogation image frames. The interrogation image frames are for sampling the subject's body between collection of at least some collection image frames. The difference between the current image frame and at least one preceding image frame is determined and a frame correlation coefficient is output based upon the difference. The collection image frame rate of the image frame acquisition device is adjusted in inverse proportion to the most recent frame correlation coefficient.

Abstract: Ultrasound imaging data obtained from anatomic structures which have periodic physiologic motion that define successive physiologic cycles is packaged into image loops. Each image loop includes frame data representing a plurality of image frames acquired at spaced time intervals within a physiologic cycle. The image loops may be transmitted to a remote location for playback in real-time or pseudo real-time. Also provided is a scheme for increasing the effective acquisition frame rate in a medical ultrasound imaging system which acquires imaging data of an anatomic structure having periodic physiologic motion that defines successive physiologic cycles.