Noninvasive elasticity characterization of carotid artery using high-frame-rate echography and sphygmomanometer

We visualized elasticity of the common carotid artery noninvasively. The elastic index is calculated from an expanding velocity of artery and continuous blood pressure. The expanding velocity is given from processing time series echograms recorded by high-frame-rate echography. Blood pressure is given from a noninvasive sphygmomanometer using a cuff wound up to arm. The transition of velocity is related to blood pressure. Drawing a pressure-velocity curve, elasticity of the carotid artery can be classified from the shape of the curve. In a young elastic artery, the curve revealed is similar to a circle. In relation to an older artery, the shape of the curve becomes flattened out. From the enclosed area of the curve, the elasticity of the artery can be estimated