Examination method of vascular endothelium function
US6623431B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 21, 2002 |
| Grant date | Sep 23, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 21, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B8/54
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A rapid vascular endothelium function examining method with improved reproducibility is provided. An apparatus for the method comprises systems for acquiring ultrasound images by an ultrasound probe, processing the acquired images and moving/rotating the ultrasound probe. The method comprises: a first step where the acquired image is processed so that the center of a blood vessel is laid on the center of the image; a second step where a series of operations for acquiring an image, processing the acquired image and moving the probe based on the processed result, are repeated so that the probe is moved in parallel to the blood vessel; a third step where the similar operations to the second step are executed so that the probe is moved in parallel to and immediately above the blood vessel; a fourth step for determining a blood vessel diameter from the finally acquired image at the third step.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.