Accuracy of Blood-Flow Measurement by Ultrasound Framewise Cross-Correlation

Abstract

The measurement of the blood flow velocity is important in assessing the cardiac functions. There are two methods to measure the blood-flow velocity by ultrasound, which are the Doppler frequency shift and the framewise cross-correlation methods. We discuss the accuracy of measurement by the framewise cross-correlation. The method is simulated on a computer. The method includes several parameters that affect the accuracy of the measurement, such as the size of ROI, the pulse repetition time, the transmitted waveform, the velocity distribution of red-blood cells, the amplitude distribution inside the beam and the hematocrit. The effects of those parameters are examined by simulating the actual measuring procedure. The optimal values of the parameters indicated by the simulation will be used in the design of the measuring system.