High frame rate cardiac 4D imaging

Currently available cardiac 4D imaging solutions offer only limited spatial and temporal resolution compared to conventional 2D imaging. Therefore, especially thin and fast moving structures such as cardiac valves cannot be depicted with high accuracy. To overcome these problems we have developed a setup that is capable to create ultrasonic volume data at very high frame rates similar to those of state-of-the-art 2D imaging equipment. Using this solution we are able to acquire and reconstruct cardiac volumes with up to 168 volumes per second, resulting in a remarkable increase in temporal and spatial resolution compared to conventional 4D imaging approaches. First clinical trials to image the aortic valve were conducted. Because of the very high volume rate we are able to depict the detailed morphology of the aortic cusps and to analyze individual phases of the aortic valve movement quantitatively.