An ultrasound imaging method and system includes a two-dimensional array
transducer scanhead coupled to a beamformer. The beamformer and scanhead
obtain signals corresponding to ultrasound echoes reflected from a
measurement volume extending across a blood vessel. The signals are
processed by a Doppler processor to generate data corresponding to a
three-dimensional Doppler image of blood flow velocity in the sample
volume. The signals are also processed by a B-mode processor to generate
data corresponding to a cross section through the vessel. An image
processor transforms the data corresponding to the three-dimensional
Doppler image to data corresponding to a projection of the
three-dimensional Doppler image onto a plane. The image processor also
combines the transformed Doppler data with the B-mode data to create a
composite image. Volume flow rate can also be determined by integrating
the flow velocity in the projection of the three-dimensional Doppler
image.
