Combined MRI Tracking and Imaging Pulse Sequence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current MRI systems face challenges in synchronizing device tracking data with imaging data, particularly due to patient motion and anatomical changes during medical procedures, leading to difficulties in achieving real-time accurate representation of device location within the patient anatomy.
Innovation Solution
A combined pulse sequence is employed that shares radiofrequency excitation pulses for both imaging and tracking functions, allowing simultaneous acquisition of magnetic resonance imaging and tracking data using a single rf excitation pulse, enabling more timely synchronization and continuous updating of device location and image data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If MR tracking pulse sequences are interleaved with MR imaging pulse sequences to update both device location and image during medical procedure, then both device location and image can be updated, but synchronization between tracking data and imaging data becomes difficult to achieve due to patient motion and anatomical changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines MR tracking and MR imaging into a single pulse sequence that acquires both tracking data and imaging data simultaneously using the same RF excitation pulse. This merging eliminates the time delay and synchronization issues that arise from interleaving separate sequences, as both data types are now acquired at the exact same moment, ensuring they correspond to the same anatomical state and device position.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal pulse sequence that performs multiple functions - both tracking and imaging - within a single acquisition cycle. By designing a multi-functional pulse sequence that can extract both device location information and anatomical imaging data from the same RF excitation and gradient application, the system achieves simultaneous updates of both tracking and imaging without the temporal separation that causes synchronization problems.
2Ease of operation
If separate RF excitation pulses are used for MR tracking and MR imaging, then both functions can be performed, but the complexity of pulse sequence coordination increases and synchronization becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the separate tracking and imaging pulse sequences into a single unified sequence. Instead of coordinating multiple independent RF excitation pulses and their respective gradient sequences, the system uses one RF excitation pulse that generates both tracking signals (from tracking coils) and imaging signals (from imaged tissue), dramatically simplifying the pulse sequence structure and coordination requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified pulse sequence is designed to serve multiple purposes simultaneously. The same RF excitation pulse and gradient fields that generate imaging data also generate tracking data, eliminating the need for separate pulse sequence coordination. This multi-functional approach reduces operational complexity while maintaining the ability to perform both tracking and imaging functions.
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 enhances the synchronization between tracking and imaging data acquisition, providing a real-time, accurate representation of device location within the patient anatomy, even in the presence of motion or anatomical changes, by utilizing a shared rf excitation pulse sequence for MRI systems.
Implementation Method 1
MRI systems are based on the interactions among a primary magnetic field, an rf field and time varying magnetic gradient fields with nuclear spins within the subject of interest
Implementation Method 2
The precession of spins of such nuclear components can be influenced by manipulation of the fields to obtain rf signals that can be detected
Implementation Method 3
A series of gradient fields are produced by a set of three gradient coils disposed around the subject. The gradient fields encode positions of individual volume elements or voxels in three dimensions
Implementation Method 4
collecting tracking data based on a magnetic resonance tracking signal resulting from the radiofrequency excitation pulse, wherein the magnetic resonance tracking signal is returned from a tracking coil mounted in the device
Data Source
AI summary
A novel method and system for employing device tracking with a magnetic resonance imaging system. In accordance with one aspect of the present technique, a method for tracking the location of a device and generating an image using magnetic resonance imaging includes applying a combined imaging and tracking pulse sequence, in the presence of a magnetic field gradient, wherein the combined imaging and tracking sequence comprising a radiofrequency excitation pulse. The method further includes collecting tracking data based on a magnetic resonance tracking signal resulting from the radiofrequency excitation pulse, wherein the magnetic resonance tracking signal is returned from a tracking coil mounted in the device. The method also includes collecting imaging data based on a magnetic resonance imaging signal resulting from the radiofrequency excitation pulse, wherein the magnetic resonance imaging signal is returned from an imaging coil.