Cardiac Phase Interpolation Model for MRI Artifact Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cardiac MRI techniques face challenges in accurately synchronizing MR images with cardiac motion, especially in patients with arrhythmias or varying heart rates, leading to image artifacts and reduced clinical utility.
Innovation Solution
A method for assigning MR images of the heart to different cardiac phases by determining a heartbeat signal and physiological parameters during image acquisition, using a model that accounts for variable and constant time intervals within the cardiac cycle to optimize cardiac phase interpolation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If linear interpolation is used to map trigger time to cardiac phase, then the method is simple and easy to implement, but the accuracy of cardiac phase assignment deteriorates because heart motion does not scale linearly with changes in cardiac cycle length
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the interpolation parameters from simple linear scaling to a more complex model that accounts for different scaling factors in different cardiac phases. Specifically, it introduces a model where the cardiac cycle is divided into intervals with different scaling behaviors (e.g., isochronous and non-isochronous intervals), allowing each interval to be interpolated differently based on its physiological characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the interpolation model dynamic by adapting it to individual patient characteristics and cardiac cycle variations. Instead of using a fixed linear interpolation, the system dynamically adjusts the interpolation parameters based on the actual cardiac cycle length, heart rate, and phase-specific scaling characteristics, thereby maintaining high accuracy across varying physiological conditions.
2Device complexity
If conventional retro-gated cine imaging is used with fixed cardiac cycle duration assumption, then the imaging protocol is simple, but image quality deteriorates in patients with arrhythmias or varying heart rates due to incorrect phase assignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor cardiac cycle characteristics during the imaging procedure. The system uses feedback from ECG or other cardiac monitoring signals to adjust the interpolation model in real-time, ensuring that phase assignment remains accurate even when heart rate varies or arrhythmias are present.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary characterization of the patient's cardiac cycle patterns before the actual imaging acquisition. By analyzing cardiac cycle lengths, arrhythmia types, and phase timing characteristics in advance, the system pre-adjusts the interpolation model to optimize image quality for the specific patient's physiological profile.
3Measurement precision
If high-quality continuous monitoring of cardiac phases is obtained from external sources, then cardiac phase determination is accurate, but the complexity and cost of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the MRI system multi-functional by enabling it to perform both imaging and cardiac phase monitoring using its existing resources. The MRI system can utilize its own timing signals, ECG inputs, and processed cardiac cycle data to determine cardiac phases, eliminating the need for separate external monitoring systems while maintaining high accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by using its own internal capabilities to determine cardiac phases. The MRI scanner can process its timing information, ECG signals, and cardiac cycle data internally to generate accurate phase assignments without requiring external monitoring equipment, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for assigning MR images of a heart obtained at a plurality of cardiac cycles to different cardiac phases of the cardiac cycles. The method comprises: - determining a heart beat signal during acquisition of the MR images obtained at the plurality of cardiac cycles, - determining at least one physiological parameter of the heart during acquisition of the MR images obtained at the plurality of cardiac cycles - determining a model for the cardiac cycle including determining, in each of the cardiac cycles, a variable time interval (50) of variable duration, and at least one additional time interval (60) with a lower variability in duration than the variable time interval, based on the heart beat signal and the at least one physiological parameter, - determining a duration of the variable time interval (50) and the length of the cardiac cycle for each of the cardiac cycles based on the heart beat signal and the at least one physiological parameter, - assigning the MR images to the different cardiac phases taking into account the duration of the variable time interval and cardiac cycle in each of the cardiac cycles.