PURPOSE: To evaluate the in vitro sensitivity for the detection of slo
w blood flow in tiny tubes with an amplitude Doppler ultrasound (US) t
echnique at different angles and pulse repetition frequencies. MATERIA
LS AND METHODS: Human blood treated with heparin was pumped through si
licone tubes (flow phantoms made by the author) with lumina of 3.00 mm
, 0.30 mm, and 0.05 mm. Slow flow was imaged by using amplitude and co
lor Doppler US techniques with two US devices at different pulse repet
ition frequencies and angles and in different sound propagation media.
RESULTS: Under ideal conditions, the lowest detectable velocity was 0
.04-0.06 cm/sec in the 3.00-mm tube. Detection was about three to four
times less sensitive in the 0.30-mm and 0.05-mm tubes. Amplitude Dopp
ler US sensitivity is only slightly dependent on the angle of incidenc
e and propagation medium. CONCLUSION: The fractional volume flow deter
mined the sensitivity of the amplitude Doppler technique for detecting
low flow. Amplitude Doppler US is nearly angle independent; thus, it
is superior to color Doppler US. Amplitude Doppler US is three to four
times more sensitive when tubes have very tiny lumina and when probes
of a lower frequency are used.