CE-MRA Trigger Timing via Blood Flow Velocity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the trigger timing of Contrast Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Angiography (CE-MRA) scans rely on manual operation, which is inefficient and prone to inconsistencies due to the need for experienced operators to manually monitor contrast agent flow, and do not account for blood flow velocity, leading to suboptimal image acquisition.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that automatically determine the trigger timing for CE-MRA scans by acquiring blood flow velocity and considering predetermined image acquisition conditions, using a blood flow velocity acquisition unit and a trigger timing determination unit to calculate the optimal timing for image acquisition based on blood flow velocity and scan lead time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual monitoring of contrast agent flow is used to determine trigger timing, then the operator can observe the flow in real-time, but the method is inefficient and prone to inconsistencies due to dependency on operator experience
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-monitoring of contrast agent flow through automated signal intensity analysis in the monitor region, eliminating the need for manual operator observation and triggering decisions, thereby improving both consistency and efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors signal intensity changes in the monitor region and uses this feedback to automatically determine when the contrast agent peak arrives, enabling precise trigger timing without manual intervention
2Reliability
If manual trigger timing determination is used, then the operator can make real-time decisions, but the method requires experienced operators and is prone to inconsistencies
Solution Approach 1:
The system autonomously determines trigger timing by analyzing signal intensity variations in the monitor region, making the process independent of operator experience and ensuring consistent results across different users
Solution Approach 2:
The manual visual monitoring and decision-making process is replaced with an automated computational system that analyzes signal intensity data and determines trigger timing algorithmically, eliminating human variability
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional monitoring scan with offset monitor region is used, then the operator has time to trigger the scan, but the method does not account for blood flow velocity, leading to suboptimal image acquisition
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates blood flow velocity as an additional parameter in the trigger timing determination, calculating the optimal trigger time based on both the monitor region signal and the measured blood flow velocity to achieve optimal image quality
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs a preliminary monitoring scan to measure blood flow velocity before the actual CE-MRA scan, using this information to pre-calculate the optimal trigger timing that accounts for the specific patient's blood flow characteristics
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses an apparatus and a method for determining a trigger timing of a CE-MRA scan. The apparatus comprises: a blood flow velocity acquisition unit configured to acquire a blood flow velocity of a target vessel; and a trigger timing determination unit configured to determine the trigger timing for performing the CE-MAR scan on a CE-MRA scan region according to the blood flow velocity and a predetermined image acquisition condition during a monitoring scan. The apparatus and method take the blood flow velocity into consideration, and can determine the trigger timing of the CE-MRA scan automatically and accurately.