ZHENG Hairong1,2 QIAN Ming1,2 LING Tao1,2 JIN Qiaofeng1,2 NIU Lili1,2

(1　　   Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shenzhen 518067;

(2　　　 Key Laboratory of Biomedical Informatics and Health Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences  Shenzhen  518055)

Received Jun. 9, 2009

Revised Jul 31, 2009

Abstract Developments of many cardiovascular problems have been shown to have a close relationship with arterial flow conditions. However, current ultrasound/Doppler imaging techniques cannot resolve the complex nature of arterial blood flow. We have recently developed a novel contrast-based echo particle imaging technique (Echo PIV) without angel dependence for non-invasively measuring multi-component flow vectors. This study introduces the Echo PIV principles, system characterization and utility examination to characterize hemodynamics in pipe laminar flow and rotating flow. Echo PIV measurement results show its capability to resolve the complex hemodynamics including proximal flow velocity vectors, and velocity mapping. The Echo PIV method provides an easy, direct and accurate means of quantitatively yet non-invasively characterizing the complex vascular hemodynamics.

PACS numbers: 43.35,47.80,81.70