Combined Oxygen Utilization and Strain MRI Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cardiac MRI techniques based on the BOLD effect face limitations in assessing globally reduced diseased tissue states due to low signal intensity differences and susceptibility to acquisition imperfections and motion artifacts, necessitating improved methods for measuring oxygen utilization and tissue strain.
Innovation Solution
An MRI system and method that jointly measure oxygen utilization and tissue strain by performing a pulse sequence including oxygen utilization, strain, and anatomic imaging segments within a single scan, using techniques like Strain-Encoded (SENC) imaging and cine MRI to acquire data during a breath-hold period, enabling quantitative oxygen utilization measurements and strain mapping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If BOLD effect is used for cardiac imaging, then oxygen utilization can be measured, but signal intensity difference between hemodynamically stable and unstable regions is low (about 15 percent)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines BOLD effect imaging with strain imaging and anatomic imaging into a single integrated pulse sequence. This merging allows simultaneous acquisition of oxygen utilization data, strain data, and anatomic images, thereby maintaining the BOLD signal characteristics while adding complementary information that enhances overall measurement precision without requiring separate scans that would reduce signal intensity differences.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging system is designed to perform multiple functions within a single scan: measuring oxygen utilization via BOLD effect, quantifying tissue strain through strain-encoded imaging, and acquiring anatomic images. This multi-functionality allows the system to overcome the low signal intensity difference limitation by gathering multiple types of information simultaneously, making the overall assessment more precise without sacrificing BOLD signal integrity.
2Measurement precision
If BOLD effect techniques are used, then oxygen utilization can be assessed, but sensitivity is reduced due to acquisition imperfections and motion artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
By merging BOLD imaging with strain imaging and anatomic imaging in a single pulse sequence, the patent enables simultaneous acquisition of multiple data types. This integration allows for better motion correction and artifact reduction through the complementary information provided by strain and anatomic images, thereby improving reliability and sensitivity while maintaining oxygen utilization measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where strain data and anatomic images acquired during the same scan are used to correct and refine the BOLD signal analysis. The strain information provides feedback about tissue motion and deformation, which can be used to compensate for motion artifacts in the oxygen utilization measurement, thereby enhancing reliability without sacrificing measurement precision.
3Measurement precision
If separate scans are performed for oxygen utilization and strain measurement, then each parameter can be measured independently, but inter-sequence motion errors occur and assessment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges BOLD effect imaging, strain imaging, and anatomic imaging into a single integrated pulse sequence that can be performed within a single breath-hold period. This combining approach allows independent measurement of oxygen utilization, strain, and anatomic parameters simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate scans and thereby reducing assessment time while maintaining measurement precision through the complementary nature of the acquired data.
Solution Approach 2:
By performing all measurements (oxygen utilization, strain, and anatomic imaging) within a continuous single scan rather than separate discrete scans, the patent ensures continuity of useful action. This continuous acquisition approach eliminates gaps between measurements, prevents inter-sequence motion errors that would occur with separate scans, and significantly reduces total assessment time while maintaining the independence and precision of each parameter measurement.
4Measurement precision
If BOLD effect imaging is used, then oxygen utilization can be measured, but globally reduced diseased tissue states such as diffused fibrosis are less reliable to assess
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines BOLD effect imaging with strain imaging and anatomic imaging to create a comprehensive assessment tool. The strain data provides additional information about tissue mechanical properties and structural integrity, while anatomic imaging provides contextual information about tissue distribution and morphology. This merging of multiple imaging modalities enhances the reliability of assessing globally reduced diseased tissue states like diffused fibrosis by providing multi-parameter information that complements BOLD oxygen utilization data.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging system is designed with multi-functionality to simultaneously measure oxygen utilization, strain, and anatomic characteristics. This universal approach allows the system to assess not only oxygenation but also tissue mechanical properties and structural anatomy, thereby providing a more comprehensive and reliable evaluation of globally reduced diseased tissue states that BOLD imaging alone cannot achieve.
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 provides sensitive and reliable measurements of oxygen utilization and strain in cardiac tissue, capable of detecting small physiologic changes and eliminating inter-sequence motion errors, thereby enhancing the assessment of cardiac health.
Implementation Method 1
The BOLD (i.e., blood oxygen level dependent) effect is caused by the magnetic differences between diamagnetic oxygenated hemoglobin ('oHb') and paramagnetic deoxygenated hemoglobin ('dHb'). Changes in the amount of dHb in the blood cause linear local susceptibility shifts, and changes in the ratio of oHb and dHb can be derived by measuring these frequency shifts.
Implementation Method 2
The computer processor is configured to control the imaging system to perform a pulse sequence on tissue of a subject. The computer processor also acquires oxygen utilization data and strain data responsive to the pulse sequence.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus to jointly measure oxygen utilization and tissue strain includes an imaging system and a computer processor operatively coupled to the imaging system. The computer processor is configured to control the imaging system to perform a pulse sequence on tissue of a subject. The computer processor also acquires oxygen utilization data and strain data responsive to the pulse sequence. The computer processor further determines an amount of strain on the tissue of the subject based at least in part on the strain data and an amount of oxygen utilization of the tissue of the subject based at least in part on the oxygen utilization data.