Head-Mounted MRI for Early Dementia Detection via Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting dementia are often ineffective in early prediction, leading to late treatment for patients, as they lack efficient and accessible equipment for timely diagnosis.
Innovation Solution
A head-mounted magnetic resonance imaging device that generates a uniform and gradient magnetic field, allowing for the capture of 2D or 3D NMR images of the brain, which are analyzed to detect subtle changes in brain structure, providing early predictions of dementia through a user-friendly interface and mobile app connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional MRI equipment is used for dementia detection, then diagnostic accuracy can be improved, but device accessibility and ease of operation deteriorate due to complex infrastructure requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the traditional centralized MRI system into a distributed network of portable head-mounted devices. Each device contains miniaturized magnets, gradient coils, and RF coils that can independently perform brain imaging. This segmentation allows multiple access points across different locations, transforming one complex centralized system into many simple distributed units, thereby improving accessibility while maintaining diagnostic capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary that coordinates between multiple portable head-mounted devices and the central analysis system. The server manages device registration, patient scheduling, image data aggregation, and result distribution. This intermediary layer enables seamless operation of distributed devices without requiring patients to travel to centralized facilities, thus improving ease of operation while preserving measurement precision through coordinated imaging protocols
2Measurement precision
If traditional MRI equipment is used for dementia detection, then diagnostic accuracy can be improved, but device complexity increases due to large infrastructure requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the complex traditional MRI infrastructure into separate functional modules distributed across multiple portable devices. Each head-mounted unit contains only the essential components needed for imaging (miniaturized magnets, gradient coils, RF coils), eliminating the need for large room-sized equipment, shielded rooms, and complex support systems. This segmentation dramatically reduces infrastructure complexity while maintaining diagnostic accuracy through networked operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates multiple copies of the essential MRI functionality in portable form factors. Instead of one complex centralized system, numerous simplified copies of the imaging capability are distributed across portable devices. Each copy performs the core function of generating magnetic fields and detecting signals, and the networked operation of multiple copies provides the diagnostic accuracy of traditional systems while eliminating infrastructure complexity
3Loss of time
If early dementia detection is implemented through portable devices, then treatment timing can be improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate due to reduced magnetic field strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges data from multiple portable head-mounted devices to achieve the image quality of traditional large-scale MRI systems. When imaging a patient, multiple devices can simultaneously capture brain images, and the server combines these datasets through image fusion algorithms. This merging compensates for the weaker magnetic field strength of individual portable devices, producing high-quality composite images that enable accurate early dementia detection while maintaining portability and accessibility
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
Enables early detection and prediction of dementia by analyzing cross-sectional brain images, providing immediate treatment suggestions and improving diagnostic accuracy through a portable and user-operable device.
Implementation Method 1
a main magnet 142, configured to generate a uniform main magnetic field in a head region of the user
Implementation Method 2
a gradient coil 144, configured to generate a gradient magnetic field in the main magnetic field
Implementation Method 3
a radiofrequency coil 146, configured to generate a radiofrequency magnetic field, so as to cause magnetic resonance signals
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to a head-mounted magnetic resonance imaging device. The head-mounted magnetic resonance imaging device includes a head-mounted imaging unit, a controlling computer, and a signal processing computer. The signal processing computer includes a controlling module, a data processing module, an image reconstructing module, an image storing module, and an image comparing module. The image reconstructing module forms cross-sectional scanned images of an user's brain memory showing microstructure. The image comparing module is configured to analyze and comparing the cross-sectional scanned images of the user's brain memory showing microstructure collected at different times so that the controlling computer provided user suggestions corresponding to different judgement results of the image comparing module. The system may comprise a dementia monitoring system that provides users with advisory dementia warnings so users may be advised to seek further medical advice.