Brain Scan Region Selection Using Functional Connectivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical image diagnostic apparatuses, such as MRI systems, face challenges in accurately and efficiently setting scan target regions for high-resolution imaging of small brain areas, as existing methods require manual user intervention, which is time-consuming and prone to inaccuracies.

Innovation Solution

A medical image diagnostic apparatus equipped with processing circuitry that automatically identifies and sets scan target regions by segmenting brain data into functional areas, extracting connected regions, and outputting these regions for Zonally-magnified scanning, using techniques like ZOOM-EPI technology.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual user intervention is used to set scan target regions, then the scan target region can be customized according to user expertise, but the process becomes time-consuming and prone to inaccuracies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of scan target region settingVSAvoidtime required for setting scan target region

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic brain parcellation and scan target region determination without requiring manual user intervention. The processing circuitry autonomously segments the brain into functional regions, identifies the region of interest, and determines the scan target region based on pre-stored connection information, enabling the system to serve itself rather than relying on user input

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Connection information between brain regions is pre-stored in the system before the actual scanning process. This preliminary preparation of neural pathway data allows the system to quickly determine scan target regions by referencing existing connection maps, avoiding the need for manual planning during the scanning session

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If manual user intervention is used to set scan target regions, then user expertise can be applied to select important regions, but the process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of scan target region selectionVSAvoidcomplexity of scan target region setting process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses pre-stored connection information as an intermediary between the user's initial region selection and the final scan target determination. This intermediary layer of neural pathway data automatically identifies related regions, eliminating the need for users to manually complex planning while ensuring reliable selection based on established neural connections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system references pre-stored templates of brain connection information and neural pathways instead of requiring users to create new scan plans from scratch. By copying and adapting these pre-validated connection patterns to the specific case at hand, the system maintains reliability while simplifying the process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Productivity

If only the initially selected target region is scanned, then the scanning process is simple and quick, but functionally connected regions are missed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescanning efficiencyVSAvoidinformation from functionally connected regions

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the initially selected target region with additional regions identified through connection information analysis. By combining these regions into a unified scan target that includes both the user-selected area and functionally connected areas, the system ensures comprehensive information collection while maintaining efficient automated processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Loss of information

If the scan target region is manually adjusted to include connected regions, then functional connectivity is captured, but the user time and effort increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompleteness of functional brain informationVSAvoidtime for adjusting scan target region

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically identifies and includes functionally connected regions in the scan target without requiring user adjustment. The processing circuitry independently analyzes connection information, determines additional regions to include, and finalizes the scan target region autonomously, capturing complete functional information while eliminating time-consuming manual adjustments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11544842B2Medical image diagnostic apparatus, medical imaging apparatus and medical imaging method

Publication Date: 2023.01.03 CANON MEDICAL SYST CORP

AI summary

A medical image diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to obtain image data which is generated by scanning a brain of a subject; select a target region from the image data; extract a connected region of which a brain function is associated with a brain function of the target region, as an additional region; and output scan target region including the target region and the additional region.