Kinematic MRI Motion Compensation via Reference Point Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current diagnostic imaging techniques, particularly in MRI, face challenges in capturing clear images of moving joints and anatomical structures due to patient movement, leading to blurred images and the need for mechanical restraints that limit natural movement, making it difficult to study kinematic movements effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that store and display a series of 3D images with a designated anatomical component fixed in each image, allowing other parts of the anatomy to move relative to it, enabling cine format viewing from any perspective with real-time user interaction and motion compensation to stabilize the region of interest.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If mechanical restraints (braces) are used to constrain the joint during imaging, then image stability is improved, but the freedom of natural movement is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical restraint systems with a computational approach. Motion capture sensors track the actual movement of anatomical structures, and software algorithms register and correct the imaging data to compensate for movement. This substitution eliminates the need for physical braces while maintaining image stability through digital processing.
2Speed
If fast 2D imaging is used to capture moving joints, then imaging speed is improved, but the ability to view anatomy from multiple perspectives is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by acquiring complete 3D volumetric data sets that capture the entire anatomical region in three dimensions. This comprehensive data acquisition enables post-processing and viewing from any angle or plane without requiring additional scans, thus maintaining imaging speed while providing versatile viewing capabilities.
3Loss of information
If a series of 3D images are acquired with the joint held stationary at different flexation degrees, then complete motion data is obtained, but patient movement between images causes misalignment and skewing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback through motion capture sensors that continuously monitor the position and movement of anatomical structures during image acquisition. This real-time motion information is fed back to the registration software, which uses the feedback to dynamically adjust and align the imaging data, correcting for patient movement and maintaining precise spatial relationships between images taken at different time points.
Data Source
AI summary
In a diagnostic imaging system (10), a user interface (82) facilitates viewing of 4D kinematic data sets. A set of reference points is selected in a first 3D image to designate an anatomical component. An algorithm (104) calculates a propagation of the selected reference points from the first 3D image into other 3D images. Transforms which describe the propagation of the reference points between 3D images are defined. An aligning algorithm (112) applies inverse of the transforms to the 3D images to define a series of frames for the video processor (120) to display, in which frames the designated anatomical component defined by the reference points in each of the 3D images remains fixed while the other portions of the anatomical region of interest move relative to the fixed designated anatomical component.