Low-Field NMR System for Non-Invasive Organ Fat Quantification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for diagnosing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are invasive, costly, and lack effective early detection and quantification capabilities, with conventional ultrasound and MRI being operator-dependent and not universally applicable.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive method using low-field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) with a portable magnet module and RF subsystem, employing specific pulse sequences and dictionary matching-based data analysis for accurate quantification of organ fat, enabling fast screening of NAFLD and related diseases without operator constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If liver biopsy is used for NAFLD diagnosis, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but invasiveness and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical invasive procedure of liver biopsy with a non-invasive magnetic resonance detection system. The NMR-based system uses magnetic fields and radiofrequency pulses to detect organ fat content without physical tissue sampling, thereby eliminating the harmful effects of invasion while maintaining diagnostic capability through quantitative fat measurement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from qualitative visual assessment (ultrasound) or invasive tissue sampling (biopsy) to quantitative fat fraction measurement through NMR signal analysis. By measuring the proton density fat fraction (PDFF) and other NMR parameters, the system provides objective quantification of organ fat content, resolving the contradiction between non-invasiveness and diagnostic accuracy
2Ease of operation
If conventional ultrasound imaging is used for NAFLD detection, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision and reliability deteriorate due to operator dependence and inability to quantify organ fat
Solution Approach 1:
The NMR-based system performs self-quantification of organ fat content through automated signal processing and dictionary matching algorithms. The system independently calculates fat fraction values without requiring operator interpretation or subjective assessment, thereby eliminating operator dependence while maintaining ease of operation through automated workflows
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the operator-dependent visual interpretation of ultrasound images with an automated NMR signal processing system. The quantitative fat measurement is derived through mathematical analysis of NMR echo signals and comparison with reference dictionaries, substituting human judgment with objective computational methods that eliminate operator variability
3Measurement precision
If conventional MRI is used for NAFLD monitoring, then measurement precision is improved, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential NMR detection functionality from complex conventional MRI systems and implements it in a simplified portable platform. By using a permanent magnet instead of a large superconducting magnet and focusing specifically on fat quantification rather than full MRI imaging capabilities, the system achieves organ fat measurement with reduced device complexity and lower cost
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs cost-effective components such as permanent magnets, simple RF coils, and portable electronics to create an affordable NMR system. The system uses low-field NMR at frequencies suitable for portable operation, avoiding the expensive infrastructure of conventional MRI while maintaining the ability to quantify organ fat through specialized pulse sequences and signal 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
The method provides accurate, safe, and cost-effective quantification of organ fat, reducing noise interference and operator dependence, suitable for early detection and wide clinical application.
Implementation Method 1
The present disclosure uses an external computer, a radio frequency (RF) subsystem, and a portable magnet module to construct a system for non-invasive quantification of organ fat based on low-field NMR (LF-NMR)
Data Source
AI summary
A method for non-invasive quantification of organ fat using a magnetic resonance approach includes: constructing a detection system; connecting a detection area; detection system startup; acquiring data; analyzing data; and performing horizontal data analysis. An external computer, a radio frequency (RF) subsystem, and a portable magnet module are used to construct a system for non-invasive quantification of organ fat based on low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR), which causes no damage, and achieves accurate and non-invasive quantification of organ fat. Specific pulse sequences are used to excite nuclear spin in a target region to generate LF-NMR, so as to achieve “one-click” detection, which is used for fast screening of related diseases such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The system has accurate quantification, and is easy to operate without constraints of operator qualifications.