LGE MRI Inversion Timing from T1 Mapping and ECV
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing MRI technologies struggle to accurately capture the time point when the difference in shadow between normal myocardium and lesions appears above a certain level during late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) MRI, necessitating manual selection of MRI data which can be time-consuming and prone to error.
Innovation Solution
An MRI processing device and method that calculates the T1 value of the heart muscle after contrast agent injection, determines the optimal inversion time, and normalizes imaging signals using equations based on ECV, hematocrit level, and T1 values to automatically identify lesions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual selection of MRI data is used to capture the optimal time point for lesion detection, then diagnostic accuracy can be improved, but time consumption and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically calculates the optimal inversion time using measured T1 values of blood and myocardium, along with hematocrit and ECV parameters. The processor autonomously determines the timing without requiring manual selection by operators, making the system self-sufficient in identifying the optimal imaging moment for lesion detection
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses real-time feedback from T1 mapping measurements and contrast agent kinetics to dynamically adjust and determine the optimal inversion time. By continuously monitoring the T1 values and calculating the optimal timing based on these measurements, the system adapts to the specific contrast enhancement pattern in each patient
2Measurement precision
If manual selection of MRI data is used to identify the optimal time point, then diagnostic precision can be improved, but the complexity of operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The processor automatically performs all calculations to determine the optimal inversion time using the measured parameters (T1 values, hematocrit, ECV). The system serves itself by autonomously identifying the optimal imaging timing without requiring manual intervention or expertise from operators
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an automated calculation system that acts as an intermediary between the raw MRI data and the final imaging decision. This intermediary processor uses established formulas incorporating T1 values, hematocrit levels, and ECV to objectively determine the optimal inversion time, removing the need for manual judgment
3Productivity
If automated calculation of optimal inversion time is implemented, then productivity and efficiency are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The processor is designed to perform multiple functions: acquiring T1 mapping data, measuring T1 values of blood and myocardium, retrieving hematocrit and ECV parameters, calculating the optimal inversion time, and controlling the imaging timing. This multi-functional approach consolidates what could be separate systems into a single integrated processor
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary T1 mapping measurements and parameter acquisitions before the actual LGE imaging sequence. By pre-measuring the T1 values and calculating the optimal inversion time in advance, the system prepares all necessary data and calculations beforehand, enabling efficient execution of the optimized imaging protocol
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed are a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) processing device and method, and a computer-readable recording medium storing a program for performing the method. An MRI processing device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is an MRI processing device for generating late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and may comprise: a storage medium for storing extracellular volume (ECV), a hematocrit level in blood, a T1 value of a heart muscle before contrast agent injection, a T1 value of blood before contrast agent injection, and a T1 value of blood after contrast agent injection; and a processor that, on the basis of a correlation between the ECV, the hematocrit level in the blood, the T1 value of the heart muscle before contrast agent injection, the T1 value of the blood before contrast agent injection, and the T1 value of the blood after contrast agent injection, calculates a T1 value of the heart muscle after contrast agent injection, and calculates an optimal inversion time for MRI using the T1 value of the heart muscle after contrast agent injection.