Developments of many cardiovascular problems have been shown to have a close relationship with arterial flow conditions.However,current ultrasound/Doppler imaging techniques cannot resolve the complex nature of arterial blood flow.We have recently developed a novel contrast-based echo particle imaging technique（Echo PIV） without angel dependence for non-invasively measuring multi-component flow vectors.This study introduces the Echo PIV principles,system characterization and utility examination to characterize hemodynamics in pipe laminar flow and rotating flow.Echo PIV measurement results show its capability to resolve the complex hemodynamics including proximal flow velocity vectors,and velocity mapping. The Echo PIV method provides an easy,direct and accurate means of quantitatively yet non-invasively characterizing the complex vascular hemodynamics.
