Ultrasound blood flow tracking and M-mode imaging using Kalman filter

For ultrasound blood flow detection, a method using Kalman filter in full-depth estimation, full-depth tracking and M-mode imaging is presented. The limitations of the most used periodgram technique are discussed, while the Kalman filter can handle non-Gaussian case and high order operation. Dynamic models of full-depth estimation and tracking are described, as well as the spectrum estimation one. Because the Doppler signal is complex, the complex (or plural) Kalman filter is developed. The filter can be adaptively and efficiently realize the blood Doppler automatic detection, more accurate and more flexible in depth tracking and M-mode imaging. Experiment results indicate that blood flow tracking using Kalman filter is effective, and the M-mode image also successfully displayed.