Adaptive Wait Time Control for MRI Cardiac Triggering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing EKG-triggered magnetic resonance tomography methods are inefficient in handling variable heart frequencies, leading to skipped cardiac cycles and incomplete data acquisition, particularly in perfusion measurements where RR-intervals are limited.
Innovation Solution
A method where the reference point is detected independently of partial measurements, allowing adaptive adjustment of wait times and preparation modules, ensuring no cardiac cycles are skipped, and allowing for immediate termination of partial measurements to maximize data acquisition within available RR-intervals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a safety interval is maintained from the end of the partial measurement to the expected next R-spike to compensate for heart rate variability, then the reliability of data acquisition is improved, but the RR-interval is not fully utilized and measurement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the wait time adaptive rather than fixed. The control device continuously monitors the actual time interval between R-spikes and adjusts the wait time for the next partial measurement accordingly. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to fully utilize variable RR-intervals while maintaining reliable data acquisition, resolving the contradiction between reliability and measurement time.
2Productivity
If the wait time is shortened to fully utilize the RR-interval, then the productivity is improved, but the reliability of data acquisition deteriorates due to skipped cardiac cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by having the control device monitor the actual time interval between consecutive R-spikes and use this information to adjust the wait time for the next partial measurement. This feedback mechanism ensures that the wait time is optimized for each specific cardiac cycle, allowing full utilization of the RR-interval while preventing skipped cardiac cycles, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and reliability.
3Device complexity
If fixed wait time is used for partial measurements, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to variable heart frequencies is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the wait time parameter based on the actual measured time interval between R-spikes. Instead of using a fixed wait time, the system modifies this parameter in real-time to match the patient's variable heart frequency. This approach maintains relatively simple device architecture while significantly improving adaptability to variable cardiac conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
In a method and magnetic resonance tomography apparatus for triggered implementation of a measurement (composed of partial measurements) in the magnetic resonance tomography apparatus, at least one image data set is determined from the data acquired within the scope of the partial measurements, and for triggering a reference point of the movement phase of the movement is used. The image data set is acquired in segments; the reference point is detected by a control device independent of a partial measurement, and the partial measurement following the detected reference point is conducted depending on the independently detected reference point. The wait time that specifies the interval from the end of the partial measurement to the beginning of the next partial measurement is adapted depending on the point in time of detection.