ASL MRI Fluid Bolus Encoding for Earlier Perfusion Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing MR systems for evaluating flowing fluids, such as blood perfusion, require complete data acquisition before generating clinically relevant MR data, which can be time-consuming and susceptible to errors from patient movement.

Innovation Solution

A system and method using a combination of Walsh-sorted Hadamard and complementary matrices to encode and decode MR data, allowing for the generation of diagnostically usable MR data from fewer initial measurements, enabling real-time determination of combination fluid boluses before all data is acquired.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If complete data acquisition is performed before generating MR data, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidloss of time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing MR measurements with different labeling strategies (labeling vs. non-labeling) in advance and storing the raw data. The evaluation unit then processes subsets of this pre-acquired data to generate combination MR data at different time points without requiring complete data acquisition, thereby reducing examination time while maintaining measurement precision through the use of pre-collected high-quality data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If complete data acquisition is performed before generating MR data, then reliability is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidloss of time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements partial action by enabling the generation of diagnostically useful combination MR data from subsets of the complete measurement data set. The evaluation unit can produce reliable MR data at intermediate time points using only a portion of the acquired measurements, allowing early termination of examinations when sufficient diagnostic information is obtained, thus reducing time loss while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Measurement precision

If all first MR data are measured before determining second MR data, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by implementing a flexible data processing architecture where the evaluation unit can dynamically select and process subsets of first MR data based on diagnostic needs. The system transitions from static complete-data processing to dynamic partial-data processing, allowing operators to easily obtain MR data at different time points without waiting for complete data acquisition, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining precision through selective use of high-quality measurements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Measurement precision

If complete data sets are required for diagnosis, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidproductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements segmentation by dividing the complete set of first MR data into multiple subsets that can be independently processed. The evaluation unit processes different combinations of these data subsets to generate combination MR data at various time points, enabling parallel processing and early diagnosis. This segmentation allows diagnostic information to be extracted from partial data sets, increasing examination throughput and productivity while maintaining measurement precision through the use of multiple independent measurements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Facilitates earlier acquisition of clinically relevant information on organ perfusion with improved robustness against patient movement, reducing the need for complete data sets and enhancing diagnostic efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

perform multiple magnetic resonance (MR) measurements and, in each MR measurement, measures first MR data by, in each magnetic resonance measurement, a) at different first points in time in a first region, either magnetically marking or not marking the fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic resonance:

Implementation Method 2

measuring the first magnetic resonance data, which are indicative of the generated sequence of marked and/or unmarked fluid boluses

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic resonance detection:

Data Source

PatentEP3123193B1Asl MRI using a sequence of magnetically labeled or unlabeled fluidboli
Publication Date: 2025.07.16 FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG EV
  • EP3123193B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3123193B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3123193B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a magnetic resonance system for generating magnetic resonance data of a flowing fluid. A plurality of magnetic resonance measurements are carried out, wherein in each measurement a) at different first points in time in a first region, the fluid is either magnetically labeled or is not labeled, in order to generate a flowing sequence of labeled and/or unlabeled fluidboli, and b) at a second point in time in a second region, first magnetic resonance data are measured. Based on a combining of the first magnetic resonance data measured during the different magnetic resonance measurements, second magnetic resonance data are determined, each of which being indicative of a combination fluid bolus composed of a plurality of fluid boluses generated at different first points in time and flowing to the second region, and of a time interval between one of the first points in time and the second point in time.