Adjusting Injector Head Clock Frequency to Mitigate MRI Image Artefacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
MRI systems experience image degradation due to artefacts caused by the injector head assembly, which are sporadic and difficult to reproduce, affecting image quality and diagnosis accuracy.
Innovation Solution
Adjusting the clock frequency of the injector head assembly in response to image degradation, using a clock manager that selects from a list or range of candidate frequencies to mitigate interference with the MRI scanner's operating frequency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the injector head assembly is placed close to the patient during MRI analysis, then the injection function is achieved, but image artefacts appear degrading image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the clock frequency parameter of the injector head assembly's clock unit. By adjusting the clock frequency to different values, the electromagnetic interference generated by the injector head is modified, which eliminates or reduces the image artefacts while maintaining the injection function. This parameter adjustment allows the system to operate without degrading image quality.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the clock frequency is adjusted to eliminate artefacts, then image quality is improved, but the device complexity increases due to frequency adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the system automatically detects image artefacts and adjusts the clock frequency without requiring external intervention. The clock manager unit monitors for artefacts and autonomously changes the frequency to eliminate them, reducing the need for complex manual adjustment mechanisms while maintaining image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from image quality monitoring to trigger clock frequency adjustments. When artefacts are detected in the MRI images, the system receives feedback about the degradation and automatically adjusts the clock frequency accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism simplifies the overall device complexity by using intelligent control rather than complex hardware adjustments.
3Reliability
If the injector head assembly is designed to be MR conditional, then magnetic field resistance is achieved, but sporadic artefacts still appear under certain operative conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses sporadic artefacts by dynamically changing the clock frequency parameter based on detected artefacts. Even though the injector head is designed to be MR conditional with magnetic field resistance, the clock frequency adjustment provides an additional layer of protection against sporadic electromagnetic interference that may occur under specific operative conditions such as different room temperatures or positions.
Data Source
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AI summary
An MRI system (100) is proposed (for generating one or more images of a body-part of a patient under analysis); the MRI system (100) comprises an injector head assembly (155), for injecting at least one medical fluid into the patient, having a clock unit (340) for providing a clock signal with a clock frequency. The MRI system (100) comprises means (420-425;445 -460) for adjusting the clock frequency in response to a manual command and/or to a detection of a degradation of the images. An injector system (155,165) for use in this MRI system (100) is also proposed. Moreover, a corresponding method (500) for managing the injector head assembly (155) is proposed. A computer program (400) for implementing the method (500) and a corresponding computer program product are also proposed.