A transverse oscillation approach for estimation of three-dimensional velocity vectors, Part II: experimental validation

The 3-D transverse oscillation method is investigated by estimating 3-D velocities in an experimental flow-rig system. Measurements of the synthesized transverse oscillating fields are presented as well. The method employs a 2-D transducer; decouples the velocity estimation; and estimates the axial, transverse, and elevation velocity components simultaneously. Data are acquired using a research ultrasound scanner. The velocity measurements are conducted with steady flow in sixteen different directions. For a specific flow direction with [α, β] = [45, 15]°, the mean estimated velocity vector at the center of the vessel is (v
_x
, v
_y
, v
_z
) = (33.8, 34.5, 15.2) ± (4.6, 5.0, 0.6) cm/s where the expected velocity is (34.2, 34.2, 13.0) cm/s. The velocity magnitude is 50.6 ± 5.2 cm/s with a bias of 0.7 cm/s. The flow angles α and β are estimated as 45.6 ± 4.9° and 17.6 ± 1.0°. Subsequently, the precision and accuracy are calculated over the entire velocity profiles. On average for all direction, the relative mean bias of the velocity magnitude is -0.08%. For α and β, the mean bias is -0.2° and -1.5°. The relative standard deviations of the velocity magnitude ranges from 8 to 16%. For the flow angles, the ranges of the mean angular deviations are 5° to 16° and 0.7° and 8°.