Infrared Camera Patient Monitoring in MRI Using Absorptive Coating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems face challenges in providing reliable and accurate monitoring of patient vital signs and movement due to issues with lighting conditions, such as underexposure and overexposure, and spurious reflections from infrared light sources, which can affect the quality of image processing and detection of vital signs.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an infrared camera system with a coating on the walls and auxiliary equipment of the MRI system to absorb and diffuse infrared light, reducing spurious reflections and providing homogeneous illumination, combined with an image processor for dynamic image analysis to derive vital signs and motion information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If infrared light sources are used to illuminate the patient for monitoring, then the monitoring capability is improved, but spurious reflections occur from walls and equipment causing overexposure and poor image quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring capabilityVSAvoidspurious reflections

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a matte black coating to walls and equipment surfaces, which absorbs infrared light (converting the harmful reflection into beneficial absorption) and prevents spurious reflections from reaching the camera, thereby eliminating the harmful effect while maintaining the infrared illumination for monitoring

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The matte black coating acts as an intermediary between the infrared light sources and the camera, absorbing excess infrared radiation and preventing direct reflections from reaching the camera sensor, thus mediating the interaction to eliminate spurious reflections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Illumination intensity

If infrared light sources are positioned close to the patient, then illumination intensity is improved, but underexposure and overexposure of specific regions occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination intensityVSAvoidexposure uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The matte black coating converts the harmful effect of concentrated infrared reflection into beneficial diffuse absorption, creating uniform illumination conditions throughout the examination space and preventing both underexposure and overexposure of specific regions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Illumination intensity

If reflective surfaces are used in the examination room, then light distribution is improved, but spurious reflections from infrared light sources degrade image quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight distributionVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces reflective surfaces with matte black coating that absorbs infrared light, converting the harmful spurious reflections into beneficial absorption, thereby maintaining uniform light distribution while eliminating degradation of image quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 solution improves the quality and robustness of image processing, allowing for reliable detection and quantification of vital signs and movement, reducing the impact of unpredictable lighting conditions and spurious reflections, and enabling accurate monitoring during MRI examinations.

Implementation Method 1

a coating on at least one wall of a room housing the magnetic resonance imaging system, and/or on an interior wall of a magnet assembly around the examination zone and/or on auxiliary equipment of the magnetic resonance imaging system... adapted to absorb and/or diffuse infrared light so as to avoid spurious reflections of infrared light into a field of view of the infrared camera

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentEP4363874B1Infrared camera-based patient monitoring in MRI

Publication Date: 2024.11.27 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

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AI summary

The present invention relates to a magnetic resonance imaging system (1) comprising an infrared camera system for monitoring a subject when undergoing an examination while positioned in an examination zone (11) of the magnetic resonance imaging system. The infrared camera system comprises an infrared camera (21). The magnetic resonance imaging system further comprises a coating (2) on at least one wall of a room housing the magnetic resonance imaging system, and/or on an interior wall of a magnet assembly (10) around the examination zone and/or on auxiliary equipment of the magnetic resonance system for use inside the examination zone, in which the is adapted to absorb and/or diffusely reflect infrared light, so as to avoid spurious reflections and/or to provide diffuse auxiliary lighting.