Autonomous MRI Scanner with AI Protocol Selection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The accessibility of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) services is limited due to a lack of skilled personnel in many regions, leading to inefficiencies and high costs, particularly in developing countries with low scanner densities, and existing technologies struggle to balance quality and cost in MRI operations.

Innovation Solution

An autonomous MRI system that can remotely initiate and manage medical imaging scans using encrypted patient information, determining optimal imaging parameters through convolutional neural networks, and generating imaging sequences, allowing for cloud-based simulation and reconstruction of images without the need for on-site trained personnel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If autonomous scanning is implemented to reduce reliance on skilled personnel, then accessibility and ease of operation improve, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables autonomous scanning where the MRI scanner automatically performs patient registration, protocol selection, and scan execution without requiring skilled operators. The scanner serves itself by integrating AI algorithms that autonomously determine imaging parameters and generate diagnostic reports, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining high diagnostic quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of manual operation by skilled personnel with an automated digital system using AI algorithms and machine learning models. The AI-driven platform substitutes human expertise with computational intelligence that processes patient data, selects protocols, and controls scan parameters automatically

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If standard protocols are used to reduce costs and improve efficiency, then productivity improves, but adaptability to individual patient needs worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveproductivityVSAvoidadaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adapts scan protocols based on individual patient characteristics. The AI algorithms automatically adjust imaging parameters, sequence selection, and acquisition settings in real-time according to patient-specific factors such as anatomy, pathology type, and clinical indications, transforming static protocols into dynamic, adaptive scanning plans

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements automatic modification of scan parameters including field of view, matrix size, slice thickness, and contrast settings based on patient data. The system changes technical parameters dynamically to optimize image quality for each specific case while maintaining efficient scan times, balancing standardization with customization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If multiple departments function under a single system to improve resource utilization, then productivity improves, but protocol uniformity and measurement precision worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveproductivityVSAvoidprotocol uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The AI-driven platform serves as a universal system that handles multiple imaging departments and scanner types through a single unified interface. The system universally applies standardized protocols across different departments while automatically adapting to specific requirements, enabling one system to perform multiple functions across diverse clinical settings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor and adjust protocols based on performance data from multiple departments. The AI algorithms learn from accumulated data across departments, refining protocol selection and parameters to maintain uniformity and precision while optimizing resource utilization across the entire system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20210177261A1System, method, and computer-accessible medium for magnetic resonance value driven autonomous scanner

Publication Date: 2021.06.17 THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIV IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK

AI summary

Exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium for remotely initiating a medical imaging scan(s) of a patient(s), can include, for example, receiving, over a network, encrypted first information related to first parameters of the patient(s), determining second information related to image acquisition second parameters based on the first information, generating an imaging sequence(s) based on the second information, and initiating, remotely from the patient(s), the medical imaging scan(s) based on the imaging sequence(s). The medical imaging scan(s) can be a magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) sequence(s). The image acquisition second parameters can be MRI acquisition parameters, and the imaging sequence(s) can be a gradient recalled echo (“GRE”) pulse sequence(s).