Dual-Scan MRI Interference Removal Without Shielding Enclosures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing MRI systems require elaborate shielding enclosures to reduce external interference, which is costly and space-consuming, and existing interference suppression methods are inefficient due to varying interference lengths and timing depending on MRI sequences.
Innovation Solution
Perform two MR scans with different parameters to generate MR data, determining a noise component representing external interference influence, and use signal decomposition algorithms to remove this interference from the MR data, allowing for improved image quality and reduced shielding needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If elaborate shielding enclosures are installed to reduce external interference, then interference reduction effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the interference signal from the MR data by performing a second MR scan without RF excitation, capturing only interference and noise. This separated interference component is then removed from the first MR data, eliminating the need for elaborate physical shielding enclosures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical shielding enclosure system with a signal processing approach. Instead of using physical barriers to block interference, the method uses dual MR scans and signal decomposition to mathematically remove interference, substituting mechanical protection with computational filtering.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If elaborate shielding enclosures are installed to reduce external interference, then interference reduction effectiveness is improved, but space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The interference signal is extracted through a second MR scan performed without RF excitation, capturing only interference and noise components. This extracted interference is then subtracted from the first MR data, eliminating the need for space-consuming physical shielding enclosures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes physical shielding enclosures that occupy significant space with a computational signal processing method. The dual-scan approach with interference removal algorithms achieves interference reduction without requiring additional physical space for shielding structures.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If interference suppression is performed using existing methods with varying MRI sequences, then interference reduction is attempted, but adaptation effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a universal interference suppression method that works with any MRI sequence. The second MR scan without RF excitation captures interference regardless of the imaging sequence used, and the interference removal process is sequence-independent, eliminating the need for individual adaptation to different MRI sequences.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of RF excitation application by performing the second MR scan without RF excitation. This parameter change creates a scan that captures only interference and noise, providing a universal approach that works with any imaging sequence without requiring sequence-specific adaptation.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If interference suppression is performed using existing methods, then interference reduction is attempted, but suppression effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the interference signal by performing a second MR scan without RF excitation, which captures only interference and noise components. This extracted interference is then subtracted from the first MR data, achieving reliable interference suppression that is not limited by segment length or timing variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by acquiring the interference signal through a second MR scan before processing the first MR data. This preliminary interference capture allows for accurate subtraction from the imaging data, improving suppression effectiveness without being constrained by sequence-specific timing or segment length limitations.
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 method achieves high-effective interference reduction with minimal adaptation effort, reducing the need for shielding enclosures and saving space and costs, while enhancing MR image quality and SNR.
Implementation Method 1
use a strong external magnetic field to align the nuclear spins of a sample
Implementation Method 2
excite them to precession around the desired orientation using an alternating magnetic field
Implementation Method 3
This precession, or the return of the spins from this excited state to a lower-energy state, in turn generates an alternating magnetic field that can be detected by receiving antennas
Implementation Method 4
Magnetic gradient fields can be used to imprint a spatial coding on the signals
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 4
AI summary
According to a method for operating an MRI system (1), a first MR scan is performed to image an object (100) in order to generate initial MR data representing the object (100). The first MR scan is performed according to a first k-space scanning scheme, and at least one initial excitation pulse is emitted during the first MR scan. A second MR scan, different from the first, is performed to generate second MR data. Depending on the second MR data, a noise component representing the influence of at least one external noise source is determined by a processing unit (70). Using the processing unit (40), an MR image is generated based on the first MR data and the noise component.