Doppler Ultrasound - Colour Flow Imaging
Overview
This lecture explores the principles and practical application of Colour Flow Imaging (CFI) in diagnostic ultrasound. It explains how colour Doppler techniques are used to visualise blood flow, assess flow direction and identify vascular structures that may not be readily apparent on B-mode imaging.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this lecture, you should be able to:
- Describe how Colour Flow Imaging is used to visualise blood flow and support vascular assessment in clinical ultrasound.
- Explain how Doppler angle and beam direction influence colour flow appearance and interpretation.
- Describe the function of key colour Doppler controls, including gain, scale (PRF), colour box size, focus and transmit frequency.
- Evaluate the effects of colour Doppler settings on sensitivity, frame rate, spatial resolution and image quality.
- Apply appropriate optimisation techniques, including beam steering and probe positioning, to improve colour flow visualisation.
- Differentiate between Colour Flow Imaging, Power Doppler and enhanced low-flow imaging techniques, and recognise their respective clinical applications.
- Identify common colour Doppler artefacts, including aliasing, flash artefact, mirror artefact and refraction artefact, and explain their impact on image interpretation.
- Apply practical guidelines for optimising colour Doppler examinations and improving the detection of blood flow in different clinical settings.
Lecture Details
- Duration: 35 minutes
- Series: Doppler Ultrasound and Blood Flow Measurement
- Provided by: Dr Colin Deane, King’s College London