Interleaved rsfMRI and Morphological MRI Sequences
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) techniques require prolonged data acquisition times, especially in elderly or severely depressed patients, as they necessitate separate acquisitions for functional and morphological data, which can take up to 15 to 30 minutes, posing a challenge in reducing overall measurement time.
Innovation Solution
Interleaving functional rsfMRI sequences with morphological MR sequences allows for simultaneous acquisition of both data types without interruptions, significantly reducing the total scan time by approximately half, utilizing band-limited functional data to integrate morphological sequences without information loss, and optimizing k-space trajectories to minimize acoustic noise and patient discomfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate acquisitions are used for functional and morphological data, then data quality and completeness are improved, but measurement time increases to 15-30 minutes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges separate functional rsfMRI and morphological MRI acquisitions into a single interleaved sequence, where functional and morphological data are collected alternately within the same scanning session. This combining approach maintains complete data acquisition for both modalities while reducing total measurement time from 15-30 minutes to a significantly shorter duration, directly resolving the contradiction between data completeness and time efficiency
2Quantity of substance
If prolonged measurement time is used, then comprehensive data acquisition is improved, but patient comfort and compliance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous interleaved acquisition where functional and morphological sequences alternate without interruption or repositioning of the patient. This continuous scanning process ensures comprehensive data collection while minimizing patient discomfort by eliminating the need for prolonged static positioning and repeated setup, thereby maintaining data completeness while improving patient comfort
3Manufacturing precision
If separate functional and morphological sequences are acquired, then sequence optimization is improved, but overall scan efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the overall scanning process into alternating functional and morphological sequence blocks, allowing each sequence type to maintain its own optimized parameters and timing while being integrated into a unified interleaved schedule. This segmentation enables both sequence optimizations to be preserved individually while the interleaved structure improves overall scan efficiency by eliminating idle time and redundant setup procedures between separate acquisitions
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 reduces the overall measurement time by half, improving patient comfort and efficiency in clinical applications such as early-stage Alzheimer's diagnosis and pre-surgical planning, while maintaining the accuracy of brain connectivity analysis.
Implementation Method 1
The magnetic resonance characteristics, and thus the magnetic resonance signal generated by blood, change with the content of oxygenated or de-oxygenated hemoglobin. Therefore, blood behaves in functional magnetic resonance tomography in the manner of a contrast medium. With a high proportion of de-oxygenated hemoglobin, as a result of its paramagnetic characteristics in the environment of the blood vessels, a local magnetic field gradient is induced which, with a suitable choice of a magnetic resonance tomography sequence, a localized signal reduction will occur.
Implementation Method 2
Magnetic resonance imaging is an imaging modality that makes use of the fact that different types of nuclei are resonant at respectively different frequencies in a magnetic field of a given field strength. Each type of nuclei exhibits a property known as the gyromagnetic ratio, which causes that nucleus to resonate at a specific frequency in the presence of a magnetic field of a specific field strength. The nuclei are initially aligned by the strong magnetic field, and, by the application of radio-frequency (RF) energy thereto, are deflected by an angle (called the 'flip angle') from the aligned state. As the deflected nuclei return to the aligned state, they emit RF signals (magnetic resonance signals) which are detected and processed in order to generate a magnetic resonance image.
Data Source
AI summary
In a method and apparatus for acquiring magnetic resonance data, a resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging sequence is executed in alternation with a morphological data acquisition sequence. The alternating sequences are executed with no time interruptions therebetween, with at least one repetition of the alternating sequences. The resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging sequence can be a BOLD-EPI sequence, and the morphological imaging sequence can be an MPRAGE sequence.