Contrast Medium Uptake Time Computation Using MRI
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) typically has low temporal resolution, which obscures important kinetic information and makes it difficult to accurately discriminate between malignant and benign lesions, due to the high-spatial resolution and large fields-of-view required in standard clinical scans.
Innovation Solution
A computing device system that determines contrast medium uptake time using MRI data by identifying baseline artery locations, calculating the time-of-arrival (TOA) of contrast medium, and applying this information to assist in lesion identification, enabling higher temporal resolution imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high-spatial resolution imaging is used in standard clinical DCE-MRI scans, then morphological evaluation of lesions and detection of small cancers is improved, but temporal resolution deteriorates to 60-75 seconds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the imaging process into two distinct phases: a high-temporal resolution phase for capturing contrast medium dynamics at 2-5 second intervals, and a high-spatial resolution phase for morphological evaluation. This segmentation allows each phase to be optimized independently, with the high-temporal phase using lower matrix sizes and fewer averages to achieve fast sampling, while the high-spatial phase uses full resolution for detailed lesion characterization.
2Area of stationary object
If large fields-of-view are used to cover necessary anatomical regions, then complete lesion coverage is improved, but temporal resolution deteriorates due to increased data acquisition time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by transitioning to a different dimensional approach in the high-temporal resolution phase: using a reduced field-of-view that focuses on the region of interest where lesions are expected. This allows the imaging system to maintain complete lesion coverage while acquiring data faster, achieving temporal resolution of 2-5 seconds by limiting the spatial coverage to essential areas during the dynamic contrast phase.
3Productivity
If standard clinical DCE-MRI temporal resolution of 60-75 seconds is used, then scanning speed is improved for coverage, but kinetic information and lesion discrimination capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by using a dual-phase scanning protocol: the first phase uses high-temporal resolution periodic imaging at 2-5 second intervals to capture the kinetic information of contrast medium uptake and washout, while the second phase uses standard slower imaging for morphological assessment. This periodic alternation between fast and slow imaging modes ensures that kinetic information is captured during the critical early phases of contrast enhancement without sacrificing overall scanning efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A computing device determines a contrast medium uptake time using magnetic resonance imaging data. Image data constructed from data generated by a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine of a subject is read. A representation computed from the read image data is presented on a display device. Baseline artery locations identified within the presented representation that are associated with a baseline artery are received. A first time-of-arrival (TOA) of contrast medium into the baseline artery is determined using the received baseline artery locations and the read image data. For a plurality of locations within the read image data excluding the baseline artery locations, a second TOA of the contrast medium into a respective location relative to the determined first TOA is determined using the read image data, and the determined second TOA is stored in association with the respective location to assist in lesion identification for the subject.