Vessel navigation for single beam ultrasound Doppler using transparent transducer and optics

Pulsed-wave ultrasound Doppler has a potential for being developed as wearable forms with a single element transducer. However, an optimal Doppler gating method is required to overcome the absence of image guidance from array imaging system. In this study, we developed a real-time Doppler imaging system, vessel navigator device, and a three-dimensional vessel navigation algorithm for pulsed-wave Doppler using single beam. An optically transparent 5 MHz single element transducer was merged with a reflective pulse oximetry sensor as the vessel navigator. The vessel navigator was implemented in a custom-made real-time Doppler imaging system. Furthermore, acquired acoustic and optic signals were employed for navigating axial and lateral position of the vessel, respectively. Flow phantom study was employed to evaluate the proposed device and algorithm. The Doppler signal was successfully acquired from the algorithm-guided vessel position.