Dynamic Anatomical Segmentation in Free-Breathing MRI
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current characterization techniques for anatomical structures, such as MRI, are time-consuming, expensive, and face challenges in accurately comparing scans due to breathing and heartbeating, leading to errors exceeding 10% when not synchronized with cardiac rhythm or breath holding.
Innovation Solution
A system dynamically determines anatomical structures using MR measurements acquired during free breathing without cardiac rhythm synchronization, employing a segmentation technique and pretrained models for accurate quantitative comparisons with uncertainty less than a predefined value, potentially using machine-learning techniques like neural networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If breath holding and cardiac gating are used to improve measurement precision, then comparison accuracy improves, but scan time increases and patient comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically segments anatomical structures at multiple time points during free breathing without cardiac gating, capturing motion states rather than requiring static frozen images. This dynamic approach allows accurate longitudinal comparison of anatomical structures while maintaining patient comfort and reducing scan time.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of respiratory control from static (breath holding) to dynamic (free breathing with captured motion states). By acquiring MR measurements during natural breathing cycles and segmenting structures at different respiratory phases, the system achieves accurate comparisons without requiring patients to hold their breath.
2Measurement precision
If breath holding and cardiac gating are used to improve measurement precision, then comparison accuracy improves, but patient comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures dynamic motion states of anatomical structures during free breathing without requiring patients to hold their breath or synchronize with cardiac rhythm. This approach significantly improves patient comfort while maintaining accurate longitudinal comparison through dynamic segmentation techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows patients to breathe naturally without intervention, capturing respiratory motion states automatically. This self-service approach eliminates the need for breath holding instructions and cardiac gating synchronization, improving patient comfort and ease of operation.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple scans are performed to achieve high spatial resolution, then manufacturing precision improves, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary dynamic segmentation to capture anatomical structures at multiple respiratory phases. These pre-captured motion states are then used for accurate longitudinal comparison, eliminating the need for repeated scans and reducing total scan time while maintaining high spatial resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously acquires MR measurements during free breathing without interruption for breath holding or gating synchronization. This continuous acquisition maintains high spatial resolution through dynamic segmentation while minimizing scan time by eliminating repeated scanning cycles.
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 accurate longitudinal studies and reduces errors in anatomical structure comparisons, improving diagnosis and treatment recommendations while reducing scan time and costs.
Implementation Method 1
magnetic properties can be studied using magnetic resonance or MR (which is often referred to as 'nuclear magnetic resonance' or NMR), a physical phenomenon in which nuclei in a magnetic field absorb and re-emit electromagnetic radiation
Data Source
AI summary
During operation, a system may obtain first and second magnetic resonance (MR) measurements associated with a biological lifeform, where the first and second MR measurements were acquired while the biological lifeform engaged in free breathing and/or without prospective gating based on a cardiac rhythm of the biological lifeform, and the first and second MR measurements were acquired at different times. Then, the system may dynamically determine first and second instances of one or more anatomical structures associated with the biological lifeform based at least in part on the first and second MR measurements, and a segmentation technique. Next, the system may perform a quantitative comparison of the first instance of the one or more anatomical structures and the second instance of the one or more anatomical structures, where the quantitative comparison has an uncertainty of less than a predefined value.