Whole-Body Diffusion MRI Image Fusion With Accurate ADC Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for generating whole-body diffusion-weighted images using MRI devices result in incorrect ADC values due to signal value conversion when combining diffusion-weighted images from multiple sites, leading to inaccurate tumor distribution evaluation.
Innovation Solution
The method involves calculating ADC values for each site separately and then combining site diffusion-weighted images and ADC maps to generate a composite image, adjusting signal values to maintain accuracy and avoid unnatural boundaries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If diffusion-weighted images from multiple sites are combined to generate a whole-body image, then the coverage area is improved, but the ADC value accuracy deteriorates due to signal value conversion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the whole-body imaging process into multiple site-specific imaging segments. Each site (e.g., head, chest, abdomen) is imaged separately with its own ADC calculation, avoiding the signal conversion problem that occurs when combining images. The segmented approach maintains ADC accuracy while achieving whole-body coverage through systematic acquisition of multiple regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional image combination problem to a three-dimensional solution by incorporating the temporal dimension of sequential imaging. Instead of combining images from different sites in space, the system acquires site-specific images sequentially in time, calculating ADC values at each time point before integration, thereby preserving accuracy while achieving comprehensive coverage.
2Device complexity
If ADC values are calculated after combining diffusion-weighted images, then the processing complexity is reduced, but the tumor distribution evaluation accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by calculating ADC values for each site before combining the images into a whole-body view. This preliminary ADC calculation at the site level ensures that the diffusion characteristics are accurately determined for each region, and only then are the images integrated, preserving tumor distribution evaluation accuracy while managing processing complexity through systematic organization.
3Ease of operation
If signal values are adjusted when combining images from multiple sites, then the image homogeneity is improved, but the ADC value correctness may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by maintaining site-specific ADC calculations and image characteristics rather than applying uniform signal adjustment across all sites. Each site's image and ADC values are processed with locally optimized parameters appropriate for that anatomical region, ensuring both visual homogeneity in the final composite and correctness of ADC values for tumor evaluation in each specific location.
Data Source
AI summary
The image processing apparatus includes a processor. The processor is configured to acquire diffusion-weighted images of a plurality of sites; derive an ADC value of each of the sites from the diffusion-weighted images of the plurality of sites; combine the diffusion-weighted images of the plurality of sites to generate a composite diffusion-weighted image; combine the respective ADC values of the sites to generate an ADC image; and combine the composite diffusion-weighted image and the ADC image to generate a composite image.