Cardiac MRI Sequence Using Magnetization Transfer Contrast
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods for coronary artery disease visualization require sequential acquisition of black-blood and bright-blood images, limiting efficiency and diagnostic information, especially during even heartbeats.
Innovation Solution
A method that generates first and second imaging sequences during consecutive cardiac cycles, with the first sequence including a preparatory pulse and inversion recovery pulse, and the second sequence without inversion recovery, using magnetization transfer contrast pulses, allowing for combined image data acquisition during both odd and even heartbeats.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If sequential acquisition of black-blood and bright-blood images is performed during odd and even heartbeats respectively, then diagnostic information for both image types is obtained, but acquisition efficiency is limited and even heartbeat data is underutilized
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging sequence is designed to perform multiple functions within a single acquisition framework. By using preparatory pulses followed by inversion recovery pulses during odd heartbeats and preparatory pulses alone during even heartbeats, the system extracts both black-blood and bright-blood diagnostic information from the same segmented acquisition, making the imaging protocol universal for obtaining both image types without requiring separate dedicated sequences
Solution Approach 2:
The cardiac imaging acquisition is segmented across multiple heartbeats with different pulse sequences applied to different segments. Odd heartbeats receive preparatory + inversion recovery pulses for black-blood imaging, while even heartbeats receive preparatory pulses for bright-blood imaging. This segmentation allows efficient utilization of each heartbeat's data for its intended purpose while maintaining overall diagnostic completeness
2Manufacturing precision
If 2D image data acquisition with breath-holding is performed, then respiratory motion artifacts are minimized, but patient comfort is reduced and scan time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging protocol utilizes the periodic nature of cardiac cycles to structure the acquisition. By synchronizing pulse sequence application with the cardiac rhythm (odd heartbeats for black-blood, even heartbeats for bright-blood), the system achieves motion-compensated imaging that does not require breath-holding, allowing patients to breathe naturally while maintaining image quality through periodic, rhythm-based data collection
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 increases acquisition efficiency by providing diagnostic information for both odd and even heartbeats without additional scan time, enabling improved coronary artery disease visualization and myocardial scar tissue identification.
Implementation Method 1
the preparatory pulse for the first and/or the second imaging sequence is a magnetization transfer contrast (MTC) pulse or a train of MTC pulses
Implementation Method 2
the first imaging sequence having a preparatory pulse and an inversion recovery pulse following the preparatory pulse
Data Source
AI summary
In a method of performing magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, an MR apparatus, and a computer-readable medium during a first cardiac cycle of a subject, a first imaging sequence is generated for application to a subject. The first imaging sequence has a preparatory pulse and an inversion recovery pulse following the preparatory pulse. First signals emitted from the subject in response to the first imaging sequence are detected, and first image data are generated based on the first signals. During a second cardiac cycle following the first cardiac cycle, a second imaging sequence is generated for application to the subject. The second imaging sequence has a preparatory pulse. Second signals emitted from the subject in response to the second imaging sequence are detected, and second image data are generated based on the second signals.