Curved Slice Definition for MRI Target Volume Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic resonance devices often struggle to accurately define and acquire nonlinear target volumes or suppress nonlinear regions due to the use of linear slice and saturation volumes, leading to incomplete image acquisition or unnecessary data collection.
Innovation Solution
A method that allows for the automatic or manual definition of non-cuboid slices and saturation volumes adapted to the target volume, utilizing a radio-frequency antenna with multiple transmission channels for parallel transmission, enabling curved excitations and improved image acquisition by limiting slice and saturation volume selection based on the device's technical capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If linear slices and saturation volumes are used for image acquisition, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing precision and measurement precision deteriorate because nonlinear target volumes cannot be accurately defined
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curved surfaces instead of flat linear planes to define slices and saturation volumes. The graphical slice positioning system enables users to draw curved boundaries that conform to the actual nonlinear geometry of target volumes, thereby improving the accuracy of target volume definition without requiring complex hardware modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a software-based graphical slice positioning system that acts as an intermediary between the user and the linear slice acquisition system. This software layer allows nonlinear target volume definition by computing appropriate linear slice arrangements that collectively cover the curved target volume, thus improving precision without directly modifying the hardware.
2Reliability
If a larger number of linear slices or saturation volumes are defined to cover nonlinear target volumes, then the completeness of target volume coverage is improved, but the loss of time and loss of substance increase due to acquisition of superfluous data
Solution Approach 1:
By enabling curved slice definitions that match the target volume geometry, the system reduces the number of slices needed to achieve complete coverage. The curved slices can follow the contours of the target volume, eliminating the need for excessive linear slices that would cover areas outside the target volume, thus reducing acquisition time and data volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The graphical slice positioning system allows different regions of the target volume to be covered by appropriately shaped slices tailored to local geometry. This local adaptation ensures that each slice contributes maximally to covering its specific region without redundant coverage, improving completeness while minimizing unnecessary data acquisition.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If linear saturation volumes are used to suppress artifacts in nonlinear regions, then the ease of operation is improved, but the effectiveness of artifact suppression deteriorates because the saturated regions do not match the actual artifact-prone areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables definition of curved saturation volumes that conform to the actual shape of artifact-prone regions. Users can draw saturation volume boundaries that match the nonlinear geometry of areas requiring artifact suppression, thereby improving the effectiveness of saturation in eliminating flow and susceptibility artifacts while maintaining ease of operation through the graphical interface.
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 enables efficient and qualitative image acquisition with minimal unnecessary data, allowing for complete coverage of target volumes and effective suppression of artifacts, using curved slices and saturation volumes that align with the shape of the target region, thereby improving image quality and reducing excess data collection.
Implementation Method 1
the magnetic resonance device has a radio-frequency antenna with multiple transmission channels
Implementation Method 2
the nuclear spins are saturated in advance by defined excitation pulses, such that factors interfering with the image acquisition—for example movement, susceptibility or flow artifacts—can be suppressed
Data Source
AI summary
In a method to control a magnetic resonance device for image acquisition in at least one slice, the magnetic resonance device has a radio-frequency antenna with multiple transmission channels. At least one slice deviates from a cuboid shape and/or that is roughly adapted to a target volume of interest that is to be acquired, and/or at least one saturation volume adapted to a shape in a subject to be acquired, are defined automatically and/or manually via a user interface. The selection of possible slices and/or saturation volumes is limited automatically under consideration of the technical embodiment of the radio-frequency antenna. The image acquisition takes place in the selected slice and/or under consideration of the saturation volume.