Medical Imaging Scan Progress Feedback to Reduce Motion Artifacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Motion artifacts in MRI/CT images due to patient movement during lengthy scans, which can be exacerbated by patient anxiety and discomfort, are not adequately addressed by existing systems.
Innovation Solution
A medical imaging system with control circuitry that provides synchronized display and nudging to inform patients about scan progress, using projected indicators and haptic feedback to guide patient positioning and minimize movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the scan duration is extended to cover the entire anatomical region, then the completeness of imaging is improved, but patient movement increases leading to motion artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides real-time feedback to the patient through visual display and haptic nudging signals that indicate scan progress and prompt movement. This feedback loop keeps the patient engaged and informed, reducing anxiety-induced movement while maintaining stillness during actual scanning, thereby enabling longer scans without compromising image quality
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic nudging signals and progress indications during the scan to intermittently remind the patient to adjust position or maintain stillness. This periodic intervention prevents cumulative movement artifacts over long scan durations while allowing the scan to proceed through multiple anatomical regions
2Productivity
If the patient is isolated in the modality room without continuous interaction, then the scanning workflow is simplified, but patient anxiety increases leading to movement
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides autonomous self-service communication to the patient through the display interface and haptic feedback, eliminating the need for continuous technician presence. The patient receives progress updates and movement prompts automatically, reducing anxiety while maintaining scanning efficiency through automated patient management
Solution Approach 2:
The display and haptic feedback systems act as intermediaries between the scanning system and the patient, providing continuous communication without requiring direct technician-patient interaction. This intermediary communication reduces patient anxiety by keeping them informed while preserving workflow efficiency
3Ease of operation
If rough time estimates are provided to the patient, then the information provided is simple, but the patient cannot accurately track scan progress leading to discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides real-time feedback on scan progress through visual display showing the current anatomical region being scanned and haptic nudging signals that confirm system detection of patient position. This feedback gives the patient accurate progress information without complicating the interface, reducing discomfort through transparency
4Manufacturing precision
If the patient is prompted to remain still throughout the scan, then image quality is maintained, but the patient experiences discomfort and anxiety
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides reassuring feedback to the patient by displaying scan progress and providing haptic confirmation when the system detects proper positioning. This feedback reduces patient discomfort by keeping them informed and engaged, while still maintaining the stillness needed for high-quality images during actual scanning
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
Reduces patient anxiety and discomfort, leading to improved image quality by ensuring patient cooperation and reducing motion artifacts during scans.
Implementation Method 1
project a scan progress indicator onto the patient's body, in particular onto an anatomical region of the patient's body identified as being relevant for the current or next scan
Implementation Method 2
control the medical imaging system to modulate the nudging in synchronization with corresponding modulations made to the display, the synchronized modulations defining a coded signal to be conveyed to the patient
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
There is a need for techniques to avoid or reduce motion artifacts in medical images. According to the invention, there is provided control circuitry for a medical imaging system. The control circuitry is configured to control the medical imaging system to provide synchronized display and nudging to provide a patient with information on the progress of a scan. In this way, patient anxiety may be reduced by providing the patient with a sense of time during the scan, leading to a reduction in motion artifacts.