Light Field Camera in MRI Coil for Patient Movement Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for detecting patient movement during magnetic resonance examinations, especially with local coils, are limited by the inability to accurately detect non-rigid movements and are hindered by the size and field of view of external cameras, which can impede the examination and restrict the receiving region.

Innovation Solution

Integration of a light field camera element within the magnetic resonance coil apparatus, which captures a 4D light field and is disposed within the receiving region, allowing direct and fast detection of patient movement without the need for complex focusing, enabling effective monitoring of relevant subregions and movement centers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If external marker elements and conventional video cameras are used for detecting patient movement, then rigid patient movement can be detected, but non-rigid patient movement cannot be detected and the receiving region is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient movement detection accuracyVSAvoiddetection capability for different movement types

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the camera unit with the magnetic resonance coil apparatus housing, integrating movement detection functionality directly into the examination region. This merging allows the camera to capture both rigid and non-rigid patient movements without being restricted by external positioning, while the magnetic resonance imaging and movement detection systems work together within the same spatial envelope.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The camera unit is nested within the housing of the magnetic resonance coil apparatus, with the camera positioned inside the receiving region. This nesting arrangement allows the camera to be disposed within the examination space without obstructing the magnetic resonance field, enabling comprehensive detection of patient movements including non-rigid movements while maintaining the integrity of the magnetic resonance examination region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If conventional video cameras are used externally, then patient movement can be monitored, but the size and field of view of the cameras impede the examination and restrict the receiving region

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient movement monitoringVSAvoidreceiving region availability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Measurement precision

If complex focusing systems are used before recording, then image quality can be improved, but examination time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidexamination speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The light field camera element captures the complete 4D light field data in advance, including all directional and spatial information. This preliminary capture of comprehensive optical data eliminates the need for subsequent complex focusing operations, as the full light field information is already recorded and can be processed computationally after the examination, thereby maintaining high image quality while reducing examination time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution enables direct and fast detection of patient movement, minimizing examination time by allowing for real-time adjustments during the magnetic resonance examination, thus improving the accuracy and efficiency of the imaging process.

Implementation Method 1

A light field camera element refers, for example, to a plenoptic camera element that may capture a 4D light field of a scene or object. In this process, a direction of an incident and/or detected light beam is captured in addition to the position and intensity of the incident and/or detected light beam.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight field detection: Photography

Implementation Method 2

an antenna unit for picking up magnetic resonance signals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic resonance: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS9684046B2Magnetic resonance coil apparatus

Publication Date: 2017.06.20 SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS AG

AI summary

A magnetic resonance coil apparatus includes a receiving region for receiving a subregion of a patient to be examined, a housing shell unit enclosing the receiving region, and an antenna unit for picking up magnetic resonance signals. The magnetic resonance coil apparatus includes a camera unit with at least one light field camera element.