Dynamic Contrast MRI with Velocity Encoding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional MRI techniques require multiple scans and trained operators, leading to prolonged exam times and increased anesthesia duration, especially for uncooperative patients, while also being susceptible to imaging artifacts due to long scan times.
Innovation Solution
Integration of velocity encoding into a dynamic-contrast-enhanced MRI scan to enable 3D velocity quantification and 4D flow imaging in a single sequence, using velocity-encoding gradients and advanced sampling schemes like Variable-Density sampling and Radial view-ordering, allowing for accelerated data acquisition and compressed-sensing-based reconstruction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If conventional MRI techniques are used to obtain dynamic contrast and flow information, then imaging quality is maintained, but exam time is prolonged and anesthesia duration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI with velocity-encoded MRI into a single integrated sequence. This merging allows simultaneous acquisition of both contrast enhancement information and flow velocity data, eliminating the need for separate scans and thereby reducing total exam time while maintaining imaging quality through unified data processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The MRI sequence is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides dynamic contrast enhancement imaging, velocity encoding for flow quantification, and spatial resolution. This multi-functional approach allows a single scan to replace multiple specialized scans, directly reducing exam duration without compromising the reliability of either contrast or flow measurements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate scans are performed to obtain dynamic contrast and flow data, then imaging completeness is achieved, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the data acquisition protocols for dynamic contrast enhancement and velocity encoding into a single integrated MRI sequence. This consolidation maintains imaging completeness by acquiring both contrast and flow information simultaneously, while reducing protocol complexity from multiple separate scans to one unified acquisition process.
Solution Approach 2:
The sequence design incorporates preliminary velocity encoding gradients within the contrast-enhanced imaging sequence itself, rather than requiring separate pre-scans or post-processing steps. This preliminary integration of flow encoding capabilities into the contrast scan protocol simplifies the overall device operation while ensuring complete imaging data acquisition.
3Measurement precision
If long scan times are used to ensure imaging quality, then measurement precision is maintained, but susceptibility to imaging artifacts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated sequence maintains continuous useful action by acquiring both contrast and flow information during a single continuous scan rather than through multiple discrete scans. This continuity reduces the time gaps between measurements, minimizing the opportunity for artifacts to arise from patient movement or physiological changes, while preserving measurement precision through simultaneous data collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs accelerated readout techniques and compressed sensing algorithms that allow rapid data acquisition with reduced scan times. By skipping unnecessary intermediate steps and using intelligent reconstruction methods, the system achieves imaging quality comparable to traditional long scans while significantly reducing exposure time to artifact-generating factors.
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 simplifies the acquisition process, reduces exam duration, enhances post-processing analysis, and provides high-resolution dynamic contrast and flow imaging, making cardiac exams more accessible and reducing the need for specialized operators and anesthesia.
Implementation Method 1
nuclear magnetic moments are excited at specific spin precession frequencies which are proportional to the local magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
Magnetic resonance excitation from the MRI system is applied to the volume of the object
Implementation Method 3
velocity encoded data with respect to time
Data Source
AI summary
A method for providing magnetic resonance imaging with dynamic contrast and 4D flow of a volume of an object in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system is provided. Contrast agent is provided to the volume of the object. Magnetic resonance excitation from the MRI system is applied to the volume of the object. The MRI system reads out a subsample of less than 10% of spatially resolved data and velocity encoded data with respect to time. The readout subsample is used to determine both dynamic contrast and 4D flow.