Multiple Excitation Blade Acquisition for MRI Motion Correction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current MRI techniques are inadequate for motion correction, particularly in T1-weighted imaging, as they often require long repetition times and are not suitable for acquiring wide blades of k-space data, which limits the ability to produce robust motion-corrected images.
Innovation Solution
The method involves acquiring blades of k-space data using multiple excitations with fast spin echo sequences, allowing for the acquisition of wide blades with T1-weighted data by limiting the echo train length and performing multiple acquisitions to fill each blade, enabling robust motion correction and T1-weighted imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current motion correction techniques are used, then motion artifacts are reduced, but T1-weighted imaging cannot be performed
Solution Approach 1:
The k-space data acquisition is divided into multiple blades that are acquired separately using multiple excitations. Each blade contains a portion of the encode lines, and by segmenting the acquisition this way, the patent enables T1-weighted imaging while maintaining motion correction capabilities through the rotated blade architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic excitation pulses to acquire different blades of k-space data. Each excitation pulse initiates an echo train that fills a specific blade, and by periodically repeating this process with rotated blade orientations, the system achieves both T1-weighting and motion correction.
2Reliability
If wide blades of k-space data are acquired, then motion correction is improved, but acquisition time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple echo trains from separate excitations to fill a single wide blade. By merging the data from multiple excitations into one comprehensive blade, the system achieves wide blade coverage for improved motion correction without requiring sequentially longer acquisition times for each individual blade.
Solution Approach 2:
The acquisition process maintains continuity by immediately following each excitation pulse with an echo train that fills the designated blade. This continuous action across multiple excitations allows wide blades to be filled efficiently, reducing overall acquisition time while maintaining motion correction quality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If echo train length is limited, then T1-weighting is achieved, but fewer encode lines are filled per excitation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds the dimension of multiple excitations to compensate for the limited encode lines per excitation. Instead of trying to fill all encode lines in a single long echo train, the system uses multiple shorter echo trains from separate excitations, each filling a portion of the blade, thereby achieving T1-weighting while completing the full k-space coverage.
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
This approach allows for the acquisition of wide blades with sufficient T1-weighting for motion correction, reducing the impact of patient movement and enabling the production of high-quality, motion-corrected T1-weighted images.
Implementation Method 1
a primary field magnet configured to place gyromagnetic nuclei within a patient into an equilibrium magnetization
Implementation Method 2
a radiofrequency (RF) transmit coil configured to perturb the gyromagnetic nuclei away from their equilibrium magnetization, causing the spins to precess
Implementation Method 3
RF fields are emitted by the spinning, precessing nuclei and are detected by either the same transmitting RF coil, or by a separate coil
Implementation Method 4
A series of gradient fields are produced by a set of gradient coils located around the subject. The gradient fields encode positions of individual plane or volume elements
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, a method includes performing a magnetic resonance (MR) data acquisition sequence including the acquisition of a plurality of blades of k-space data rotated about a section of k-space. The k-space data is representative of gyromagnetic material within a subject of interest, and each blade includes a plurality of encode lines defining a width of the respective blade. The acquisition of each blade includes receiving MR signal from echoes in two or more separate echo trains to fill at least a portion of the plurality of encode lines, and the echo trains are separated by an excitation pulse.