Lean Tissue Volume Quantification via Water-Fat MRI Segmentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for accurately measuring muscle volume and fat infiltration in the human body are limited by the variability of non-imaging techniques and the high workload required for manual segmentation in imaging methods like MRI, which hinders comprehensive studies of muscle tissue volume and disease progression.
Innovation Solution
A method for quantifying lean tissue volume using water-fat separated MRI images, involving the acquisition of water and fat images, creation of a calibrated fat image, definition of a soft tissue mask, and calculation of lean tissue volume by multiplying the soft tissue mask with volume elements, while subtracting fat infiltration, to provide accurate and efficient muscle tissue quantification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual segmentation of muscle tissue in whole body MRI is performed, then accurate measurement of muscle volume and fat infiltration is achieved, but the workload becomes far too great to be feasible in larger studies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the complex task of whole-body muscle analysis into manageable components: water-fat separation using Dixon imaging techniques, followed by automated muscle group segmentation. This allows accurate quantification of muscle volume and fat infiltration without requiring manual segmentation of the entire body, thus maintaining measurement precision while improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses water-fat separated images as an intermediary step between raw MRI data and final muscle quantification. By first separating water and fat signals, the system creates intermediate images that facilitate automated muscle tissue identification and volume calculation, reducing the need for manual intervention while preserving accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If water-fat separated MRI is used for detailed muscle analysis, then high soft tissue contrast and detailed fat infiltration measurements are obtained, but the scanning time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs water-fat separation as a preliminary action during the imaging process itself, using Dixon imaging techniques that acquire both water and fat signals in the initial scan. This preliminary separation enables subsequent automated analysis without requiring additional scanning time, thus achieving detailed fat infiltration measurements while minimizing time loss.
3Productivity
If non-imaging methods are used for muscle mass measurement, then the process is simpler and faster, but the measurements become highly variable due to calibration issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical calibration-based methods with a field-based approach using MRI. Instead of relying on physical calibration standards that vary between devices, the system uses magnetic resonance signals that provide inherent tissue contrast and quantitative information, eliminating calibration issues while maintaining measurement speed through automated processing.
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 method enhances the accuracy of muscle tissue quantification by removing fat infiltration and providing precise measurements of lean tissue volume, reducing the workload and improving the feasibility of larger studies, while also enabling the differentiation of muscle groups and fat content within muscle tissue.
Implementation Method 1
acquiring an image as a water-fat separated magnetic resonance image, wherein the acquired image comprises a water image and a fat image
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method of quantifying a lean tissue volume comprising the steps of acquiring (10) a acquired image as a water-fat separated magnetic resonance image, wherein the acquired image comprises a water image and a fat image, providing (20) a calibrated fat image (F), providing (30) a soft tissue mask (STM) defining areas of soft tissue in the acquired image, and defining (40) a region of interest (ROI) of the acquired image. The method further comprises a step of calculating (50) a lean tissue volume (LTV) by multiplying, for each volume element in the region of interest, the soft tissue mask with the volume (Vvox) of each volume element and the result of one minus the calibrated fat image, and summarizing the products of said multiplications for all volume elements in the region of interest.