Automatic scanning control system and method for ultralow field magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

The invention discloses an automatic scanning control system and method for ultralow-field magnetic resonance imaging, and relates to the technical field of magnetic resonance imaging. The system comprises a data acquisition module which is used for connecting a spectrometer device, packaging calling of the spectrometer device by using an RPyC technology, and acquiring corresponding magnetic resonance data; the control module is used for communicating with the client and completing data synchronization between the client and the server by using a webSocket technology; the control module is also used for controlling the data acquisition module to acquire data; the data processing module is used for performing signal processing and image reconstruction based on the magnetic resonance data to obtain a high-quality image; the user interface module is used for creating patient information and displaying images, providing a user operation interface and acquiring user operation information; and the control module is also used for being connected with the control module, so that a user can control scanning of magnetic resonance through an operation page. According to the invention, the operation process can be simplified, and the imaging consistency and quality are effectively improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of magnetic resonance imaging, and in particular to an automated scanning control system and method for ultra-low field magnetic resonance imaging. Background Art

[0002] Ultra-low field magnetic resonance imaging (ULF-MRI) has gradually become an important research direction in the field of medical imaging due to its advantages such as low cost, low power consumption and portability. However, the traditional ULF-MRI system requires operators to perform complex parameter settings and manual adjustments during the scanning process, which not only increases the difficulty of operation, but also may lead to inconsistency and quality degradation of imaging results.

[0003] Currently, most existing ULF-MRI systems rely on manual control and adjustment, and have the following main defects:

[0004] 1. Complex operation: Operators are required to have professional knowledge and skills, which increases training costs and operation difficulty.

[0005] 2. Poor imaging consistency: Manual adjustment can easily lead to inconsistent imaging parameters, affecting image quality and diagnostic accuracy.

[0006] 3. Inefficiency: Manual operation takes a long time, reducing scanning efficiency and patient handling capabilities.

[0007] 4. Susceptible to human factors: The operator's experience and status may affect the stability and reliability of the imaging results.

[0008] Therefore, developing an automated scanning control system to simplify the operating process and improve imaging consistency and quality has become an urgent need in current technological development. Summary of the invention

[0009] In order to overcome the above problems or at least partially solve the above problems, the present invention provides an automated scanning control system and method for ultra-low field magnetic resonance imaging, which can simplify the operation process and effectively improve the imaging consistency and quality.

[0010] In order to solve the above technical problems, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is:

[0011] In a first aspect, the present invention provides an automated scanning control system for ultra-low field magnetic resonance imaging, comprising a data acquisition module, a control module, a data processing module and a user interface module, wherein:

[0012] The data acquisition module is used to connect to the spectrometer device, encapsulate the call of the spectrometer device using RPyC technology, and collect the corresponding magnetic resonance data;

[0013] The control module is used to communicate with the client and use the webSocket technology to complete data synchronization between the client and the server; it is also used to control the data acquisition module to collect data;

[0014] A data processing module, used for performing signal processing and image reconstruction based on magnetic resonance data to obtain high-quality images;

[0015] The user interface module is used to create patient information and display images, provide a user operation interface, and obtain user operation information; it is also used to connect to the control module to allow users to control the magnetic resonance imaging scan through the operation page.

[0016] The present invention can simplify the operation process, improve imaging consistency, enhance scanning efficiency, reduce the influence of human factors, and improve the stability and reliability of the results through the cooperation of multiple modules such as a data acquisition module, a control module, a data processing module and a user interface module.

[0017] Based on the first aspect, further, the data processing module includes a transformation processing submodule and a correction submodule, wherein:

[0018] A transform processing submodule, used for performing an inverse Fourier transform operation based on the magnetic resonance data to obtain a processed image;

[0019] The correction submodule is used to perform correction operations on the magnetic resonance data to obtain high-quality images.

[0020] Based on the first aspect, further, the correction submodule includes an attenuation correction unit and an artifact correction unit, wherein:

[0021] an attenuation correction unit, used for performing image T2 attenuation correction based on magnetic resonance data;

[0022] The artifact correction unit is used for performing Nyquist artifact correction based on the magnetic resonance data.

[0023] Based on the first aspect, further, the above-mentioned magnetic resonance data is intermediate data, which is used for subsequent image processing and reconstruction. During the scanning process, some scanning properties are returned, including sequence scanning status, scanning progress, current scanning user ID, scanning sequence and data storage address.

[0024] Based on the first aspect, further, the automated scanning control system for ultra-low field magnetic resonance imaging also includes an external expansion module for docking with an external system.

[0025] Based on the first aspect, further, the automated scanning control system for ultra-low field magnetic resonance imaging also includes a storage management module, which is deployed on the client and is used to store data during the scanning process.

[0026] Based on the first aspect, further, the automated scanning control system for ultra-low field magnetic resonance imaging also includes a scanning protocol preset module, which is used to preset multiple scanning protocols according to different imaging requirements and send the multiple scanning protocols to the control module.

[0027] In a second aspect, the present invention provides an automated scanning control method for ultra-low field magnetic resonance imaging, comprising the following steps:

[0028] Connect the spectrometer device based on the data acquisition module, use RPyC technology to encapsulate the call of the spectrometer device, and collect the corresponding magnetic resonance data;

[0029] Based on the control module, the client communicates with the webSocket technology to complete the data synchronization between the client and the server; the data acquisition module is controlled to collect data;

[0030] Based on the data processing module, signal processing and image reconstruction are performed according to the magnetic resonance data to obtain high-quality images;

[0031] Patient information is created and images are displayed based on the user interface module, a user operation interface is provided, and user operation information is obtained; it is also connected to the control module to enable users to control the magnetic resonance imaging scan through the operation page.

[0032] The present invention has at least the following advantages or beneficial effects:

[0033] 1. Simplify the operation process: Through automated control, the operator's manual adjustments are reduced and the operation difficulty is reduced.

[0034] 2. Improve imaging consistency: Call different scanning protocols according to different parts and different diseases to ensure consistency between different scans and improve image quality.

[0035] 3. Improve scanning efficiency: The automated process shortens scanning time and improves patient handling capabilities.

[0036] 4. Reduce the impact of human factors: The automated system reduces the impact of human factors on imaging results and improves the stability and reliability of the results. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings required for use in the embodiments are briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show certain embodiments of the present invention and therefore should not be regarded as limiting the scope. For ordinary technicians in this field, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

[0038] Figure 1A schematic diagram of an automated scanning control system for ultra-low field magnetic resonance imaging according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 2 This is a page diagram showing the image after scanning is completed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 3 A structural block diagram of an electronic device provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Description of reference numerals: 101, memory; 102, processor; 103, communication interface. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Generally, the components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the drawings here can be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0043] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the invention claimed for protection, but merely represents selected embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0044] It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters denote similar items in the following drawings, and therefore, once an item is defined in one drawing, further definition and explanation thereof is not required in subsequent drawings.

[0045] It should be noted that, in this article, relational terms such as first and second, etc. are only used to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the term "comprise" or any other variant thereof is intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article or device including a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such process, method, article or device. In the absence of further restrictions, the elements defined by the sentence "comprise a ..." do not exclude the existence of other identical elements in the process, method, article or device including the elements.

[0046] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, "plurality" means at least 2.

[0047] Example:

[0048] like Figure 1 As shown, in a first aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides an automated scanning control system for ultra-low field magnetic resonance imaging, comprising a data acquisition module, a control module, a data processing module and a user interface module, wherein:

[0049] The data acquisition module is used to connect to the spectrometer device, use RPyC technology to encapsulate the call of the spectrometer device, and collect the corresponding magnetic resonance data; the magnetic resonance data is intermediate data (MRD file), which is used for subsequent image processing and reconstruction. During the scanning process, some scanning attributes are returned, including sequence scanning status, scanning progress, current scanning user ID, scanning sequence and data storage address. This part of information will be passed to the client through the control module for the current patient scanning information display. The data acquisition module is located on the Jiying software server. The Jiying software server host is connected to the spectrometer device through a network cable. The call of the spectrometer device is encapsulated using RPyC technology, and the sequence scanning status, scanning progress, current scanning user ID, scanning sequence and data storage address are returned for the subsequent user interface display. At the same time, RPyC supports asynchronous calls, so that other tasks can continue to be executed while waiting for the remote call results, thereby improving the efficiency and response speed of the system.

[0050] The control module is used to communicate with the client and use webSocket technology to complete data synchronization between the client and the server. It is also used to control the data acquisition module to collect data. The control module is located on the Jiying software server and is responsible for communicating with the client. The client and the server are connected via WiFi to ensure that they are in the same local area network. At the same time, webSocket technology is used to complete data synchronization between the client and the server. The client user interface module sends instructions to perform the required scan, stop, sequence adjustment, sequence deletion, sequence addition and other functions. The sequence scan will automatically call the data processing and reconstruction module for reconstruction operations.

[0051] The data processing module is used to perform signal processing and image reconstruction based on magnetic resonance data to obtain high-quality images; the data processing module will convert the data from k-space data to images, and also includes necessary data correction operations, so as to generate high-quality images from k-space data. Specifically, it includes inverse Fourier transform, T2 attenuation correction, and Nyquist artifact correction. After the data reconstruction is completed, the control module will respond to the client for display. After the scan is completed, the image display page is as follows Figure 2 shown.

[0052] The user interface module is used to create patient information and display images, provide a user operation interface, and obtain user operation information. It is also used to connect with the control module to allow users to control the MRI scan through the operation page. It provides an intuitive user interaction interface for operation and result viewing to facilitate user operation.

[0053] The present invention can simplify the operation process through the cooperation of multiple modules such as data acquisition module, control module, data processing module and user interface module. Through automatic control, manual adjustment by operators is reduced, thereby reducing the difficulty of operation. It can also improve imaging consistency. Different scanning protocols are called according to different parts and different symptoms to ensure consistency between different scans and improve image quality. At the same time, the present invention can also improve scanning efficiency. The automated process shortens the scanning time and improves patient processing capabilities. It can also reduce the influence of human factors and improve the stability and reliability of the results.

[0054] Based on the first aspect, further, the data processing module includes a transformation processing submodule and a correction submodule, wherein:

[0055] A transform processing submodule, used for performing an inverse Fourier transform operation based on the magnetic resonance data to obtain a processed image;

[0056] The correction submodule is used to perform correction operations on the magnetic resonance data to obtain high-quality images.

[0057] In some embodiments of the present invention, for 3D acquisition (such as 3D FSE, 3D GRE, 3D EPI), a three-dimensional inverse Fourier transform is required to obtain an image. In addition, since both the Fourier transform and the inverse Fourier transform are linear, in actual operation, the dimensions that need to be (inverse) Fourier transform are operated sequentially. The existing public Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) function library can be fully utilized to implement the (inverse) Fourier transform to ensure the operation efficiency.

[0058] Based on the first aspect, further, the correction submodule includes an attenuation correction unit and an artifact correction unit, wherein:

[0059] an attenuation correction unit, used for performing image T2 attenuation correction based on magnetic resonance data;

[0060] The artifact correction unit is used for performing Nyquist artifact correction based on the magnetic resonance data.

[0061] In some embodiments of the present invention, when using the FSE imaging method, T2 attenuation causes image blurring and reduces image quality. In order to solve this problem, T2 attenuation correction is performed on the k-space data. The specific method is: turn off the phase encoding gradient, but keep other acquisition parameters, including sampling bandwidth, echo chain length, repetition time (TR), etc. unchanged, and collect data of an echo chain as calibration data. For each echo of the calibration data, find the peak value of its amplitude, take its reciprocal as the correction factor, and set the correction factor of the i-th (i=1-N) echo to ai. Then, for the imaging data, multiply the data of each echo by the corresponding correction factor to achieve T2 attenuation correction. Due to subtle scanning or hardware defects, there is inconsistency between the data of opposite readout polarities of planar echo imaging. This inconsistency is manifested as a phase difference in the image domain, causing Nyquist artifacts in the reconstructed image. In the present invention, a one-dimensional linear phase parameter is estimated based on a method of minimizing entropy, and is used to correct the phase difference between the above-mentioned opposite readout polarity data, thereby eliminating the Nyquist artifact in the reconstructed image.

[0062] Based on the first aspect, further, the automated scanning control system for ultra-low field magnetic resonance imaging also includes an external expansion module for docking with an external system.

[0063] In some embodiments of the present invention, the external expansion module supports connection with other systems, such as a PACS system (the PACS server IP address, local AE, remote AE, and port can be configured for connection).

[0064] Based on the first aspect, further, the automated scanning control system for ultra-low field magnetic resonance imaging also includes a storage management module, which is deployed on the client and is used to store data during the scanning process.

[0065] Based on the first aspect, further, the automatic scanning control system for ultra-low field magnetic resonance imaging also includes a scanning protocol preset module, which is used to preset multiple scanning protocols according to different imaging requirements and send the multiple scanning protocols to the control module. Multiple scanning protocols are preset according to different imaging requirements; different protocol information can be selected according to different scanning parts and different scanning diseases.

[0066] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides an automated scanning control method for ultra-low field magnetic resonance imaging, comprising the following steps:

[0067] Connect the spectrometer device based on the data acquisition module, use RPyC technology to encapsulate the call of the spectrometer device, and collect the corresponding magnetic resonance data;

[0068] Based on the control module, the client communicates with the webSocket technology to complete the data synchronization between the client and the server; the data acquisition module is controlled to collect data;

[0069] Based on the data processing module, signal processing and image reconstruction are performed according to the magnetic resonance data to obtain high-quality images;

[0070] Patient information is created and images are displayed based on the user interface module, a user operation interface is provided, and user operation information is obtained; it is also connected to the control module to enable users to control the magnetic resonance imaging scan through the operation page.

[0071] like Figure 3 As shown, in a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides an electronic device, which includes a memory 101 for storing one or more programs and a processor 102. When the one or more programs are executed by the processor 102, any method in the first aspect described above is implemented.

[0072] The memory 101, the processor 102 and the communication interface 103 are directly or indirectly electrically connected to each other to achieve data transmission or interaction. For example, these elements can be electrically connected to each other through one or more communication buses or signal lines. The memory 101 can be used to store software programs and modules, and the processor 102 executes various functional applications and data processing by executing the software programs and modules stored in the memory 101. The communication interface 103 can be used to communicate signaling or data with other node devices.

[0073] Among them, the memory 101 can be, but is not limited to, a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable read-only memory (EEPROM), etc.

[0074] The processor 102 may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capability. The processor 102 may be a general-purpose processor, including a central processing unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), etc.; it may also be a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components.

[0075] In the embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed method and system can also be implemented in other ways. The method and system embodiments described above are merely schematic. For example, the flowcharts and block diagrams in the accompanying drawings show the possible architecture, functions and operations of the method and system, method and computer program product according to multiple embodiments of the present application. In this regard, each box in the flowchart or block diagram can represent a module, a program segment or a part of a code, and the module, a program segment or a part of a code contains one or more executable instructions for implementing a specified logical function. It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions marked in the box can also occur in a different order from the order marked in the accompanying drawings. For example, two consecutive boxes can actually be executed substantially in parallel, and they can sometimes be executed in the opposite order, depending on the functions involved. It should also be noted that each box in the block diagram and / or the flowchart, and the combination of boxes in the block diagram and / or the flowchart can be implemented with a dedicated hardware-based system that performs a specified function or action, or can be implemented with a combination of dedicated hardware and computer instructions.

[0076] In addition, the functional modules in the various embodiments of the present application may be integrated together to form an independent part, or each module may exist separately, or two or more modules may be integrated to form an independent part.

[0077] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium on which a computer program is stored, and when the computer program is executed by the processor 102, a method as in any one of the first aspects described above is implemented. If the function is implemented in the form of a software function module and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application is essentially or part of the contribution to the prior art or part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product, and the computer software product is stored in a storage medium, including several instructions for a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to perform all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: various media that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM, Read-Only Memory), a random access memory (RAM, Random Access Memory), a disk or an optical disk.

[0078] The above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the present invention may have various modifications and variations. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

[0079] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present application is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that the present application can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential features of the present application. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered exemplary and non-limiting in all respects, and the scope of the present application is defined by the appended claims rather than the above description, and it is intended that all changes falling within the meaning and scope of the equivalent elements of the claims be included in the present application. Any reference numeral in a claim should not be considered as limiting the claim to which it relates.

Claims

1. An automated scanning control system for ultra-low field magnetic resonance imaging, characterized in that: It includes a data acquisition module, a control module, a data processing module and a user interface module, wherein: The data acquisition module is used to connect to the spectrometer device, encapsulate the call of the spectrometer device using RPyC technology, and collect the corresponding magnetic resonance data; The control module is used to communicate with the client and use the webSocket technology to complete data synchronization between the client and the server; it is also used to control the data acquisition module to collect data; A data processing module, used for performing signal processing and image reconstruction based on magnetic resonance data to obtain high-quality images; The user interface module is used to create patient information and display images, provide a user operation interface, and obtain user operation information; it is also used to connect to the control module to enable users to control the magnetic resonance imaging scan through the operation page.

2. An automated scanning control system for ultra-low field magnetic resonance imaging according to claim 1, characterized in that: The data processing module includes a transformation processing submodule and a correction submodule, wherein: A transform processing submodule, used for performing an inverse Fourier transform operation based on the magnetic resonance data to obtain a processed image; The correction submodule is used to perform correction operations on the magnetic resonance data to obtain high-quality images.

3. The automatic scanning control system for ultra-low field magnetic resonance imaging according to claim 2, characterized in that: The correction submodule includes an attenuation correction unit and an artifact correction unit, wherein: an attenuation correction unit, used for performing image T2 attenuation correction based on magnetic resonance data; The artifact correction unit is used for performing Nyquist artifact correction based on the magnetic resonance data.

4. The automatic scanning control system for ultra-low field magnetic resonance imaging according to claim 1, characterized in that: The magnetic resonance data is intermediate data and is used for subsequent image processing and reconstruction. During the scanning process, some scanning properties are returned, including sequence scanning status, scanning progress, current scanning user ID, scanning sequence and data storage address.

5. The automatic scanning control system for ultra-low field magnetic resonance imaging according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes external expansion modules for interfacing with external systems.

6. The automatic scanning control system for ultra-low field magnetic resonance imaging according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a storage management module, which is deployed on the client and is used to store data during the scanning process.

7. The automatic scanning control system for ultra-low field magnetic resonance imaging according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a scanning protocol preset module, which is used to preset multiple scanning protocols according to different imaging requirements and send the multiple scanning protocols to the control module.

8. An automated scanning control method for ultra-low field magnetic resonance imaging, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: Connect the spectrometer device based on the data acquisition module, use RPyC technology to encapsulate the call of the spectrometer device, and collect the corresponding magnetic resonance data; Based on the control module, the client communicates with the webSocket technology to complete the data synchronization between the client and the server; the data acquisition module is controlled to collect data; Based on the data processing module, signal processing and image reconstruction are performed according to the magnetic resonance data to obtain high-quality images; Create patient information and display images based on the user interface module, provide a user operation interface, and obtain user operation information; It is also connected to the control module to enable the user to control the magnetic resonance scanning through the operation page.

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