K-space Segmentation for MRI Artifact Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic resonance imaging techniques face challenges in effectively suppressing artifacts caused by movement while maintaining faster data acquisition and achieving optimal contrast, particularly when using conventional k-space scanning schemes that fail to define a specific time for central region scanning, leading to averaging effects in contrast agent phases.
Innovation Solution
Divide k-space into an inner and outer region, with the inner region scanned first using a central scanning scheme, and the outer region scanned subsequently, allowing for defined timing and effective suppression of movement artifacts by grouping k-space lines based on distance from the center and applying suppression modules as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional central scanning scheme is used with multiple readout modules after fat suppression pulse, then artifacts caused by movement are suppressed, but measurement duration is significantly lengthened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides k-space into multiple segments (first segment, second segment, third segment) arranged radially, and assigns different readout modules to scan different segments after a single fat suppression pulse. This segmentation allows parallel acquisition of multiple k-space lines simultaneously, reducing the number of sequential pulses needed while maintaining artifact suppression through the central scanning scheme.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs multiple readout modules that can be executed after a single fat suppression pulse, allowing one pulse to serve multiple acquisition purposes. Each readout module scans different k-space segments, making the system more efficient by utilizing the fat suppression effect across multiple simultaneous or near-simultaneous readouts rather than requiring separate pulses for each.
2Productivity
If multiple readout modules are executed after fat suppression pulse to scan multiple k-space lines, then faster data acquisition is achieved, but the quality of fat suppression becomes coupled with spatial resolution
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing k-space into radially arranged segments and assigning specific k-space lines from different segments to each readout module, the patent decouples the fat suppression quality from spatial resolution. Each readout module operates on its assigned segment with independent timing, allowing fat suppression to be optimized globally while spatial encoding is handled independently for each segment.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If central scanning scheme is used with radial segments, then movement artifacts are suppressed, but the time for scanning all segments increases measurement duration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides k-space into radially arranged segments (first segment, second segment, third segment) that can be scanned in parallel by different readout modules after a single fat suppression pulse. This segmentation enables simultaneous acquisition of multiple k-space lines from different segments, maintaining the artifact-suppressing central scanning pattern while dramatically reducing the sequential time required to complete all scans.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous data acquisition by executing multiple readout modules in rapid succession or parallel after a single fat suppression pulse, rather than stopping between segments. The useful action of scanning k-space continues uninterrupted across all segments, with each readout module picking up where the previous left off in terms of k-space coverage, thereby reducing total measurement duration while preserving the central scanning artifact suppression benefits.
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 enables effective suppression of artifacts, particularly movement artifacts, and allows for precise timing of central k-space scanning, resulting in improved image contrast and reduced scanning duration, ensuring specific contrast responses are captured during time-limited phases.
Implementation Method 1
the examination subject is positioned in a strong, static, homogeneous basic magnetic field (field strengths of 0.2 Tesla to 7 Tesla and more) in an MR apparatus so that the nuclear spins in the subject orient along the basic magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
To trigger magnetic resonances, radio-frequency excitation pulses are radiated into the examination subject, and the triggered nuclear magnetic resonances are measured (detected)
Implementation Method 3
For spatial coding of the measurement data, rapidly switched gradient fields are superimposed on the basic magnetic field
Data Source
AI summary
In a magnetic resonance method and apparatus for acquisition of measurement data from a subject, k-space to be scanned into an inner region and an outer region, and the inner region is divided into inner segments that differ in terms of their distance from a k-space center and the outer region is divided into outer segments that differ in terms of their distance from a k-space center. First k-space data are acquired for the inner region, wherein k-space lines of the inner region are divided into first groups such that k-space lines from different inner segments are associated in each of the first groups, and the first groups are successively scanned. Second k-space data are acquired for the outer region, wherein k-space lines of the outer region are divided into second groups such that k-space lines from different outer segments are associated in each of the second groups, and the second groups are successively scanned.