A rotating cylinder phantom for flow and tissue color Doppler testing

Abstract

Ultrasound Doppler using two-dimensional (2D) techniques is commonly used to study blood flow and myocardial tissue motion. This use includes measurement of velocity and time intervals, often in relation to the electrocardiogram (ECG) signal. 2D Doppler is frequently considered a real-time technique but in reality the acquisition time can be as long as 200 ms per image. We have developed a test-phantom using a rotating cylinder to simulate blood flow and tissue motion in a whole sector or space angle to evaluate velocity and timing characteristics. The phantom can produce constant velocities, as well as well defined acceleration for testing the timing characteristics of ultrasound systems. The cylinder phantom is especially suitable for timing measurements in 2D Doppler imaging. © 2009 Springer-Verlag.