Dynamic Motion-Adaptive Imaging Protocol for Artifact Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional imaging systems face challenges in accurately correcting for motion-related artifacts, particularly in medical imaging, as they rely on assumptions about diaphragm motion that vary between patients and often fail to adequately account for internal organ movement, leading to suboptimal image quality.

Innovation Solution

A multi-modality imaging system that determines internal motion in different anatomical regions and adjusts scanning protocols accordingly, using a combination of CT and PET imaging to generate images with reduced artifacts by employing distinct scan protocols based on the level of motion in each region.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional motion correction methods use prior knowledge of typical diaphragm movement to modify scan acquisition protocol, then image quality can be improved, but the method fails when diaphragm motion varies between patients leading to inadequate compensation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemotion correction reliabilityVSAvoidadaptability to patient-specific motion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses real-time motion detection from the current patient's scan data to dynamically adjust the scan acquisition protocol. Motion detection modules continuously monitor diaphragm movement and provide feedback to modify scanning parameters specifically for that patient, replacing static prior knowledge with dynamic patient-specific feedback loops.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The scan acquisition protocol parameters are dynamically changed based on detected motion characteristics. The system adjusts scanning speed, resolution, and timing parameters in real-time according to the actual motion patterns observed in each patient, allowing optimal compensation for varying diaphragm movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If external sensors are used to detect chest movement, then motion detection capability is provided, but the chest movement measurement does not accurately represent internal organ movement such as diaphragm motion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemotion detection capabilityVSAvoidaccuracy of internal organ motion measurement

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses image data from the scanning process itself as an intermediary to indirectly measure internal organ motion. Rather than relying on external chest sensors, the motion detection modules analyze changes in internal organ positions and diaphragm movement from the imaging data, providing accurate internal motion measurement without external contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical external motion sensors with computational analysis of imaging data. Instead of using physical sensors to detect chest movement, the system uses image processing algorithms to detect and measure internal organ and diaphragm motion directly from the scan data, substituting mechanical measurement with computational analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS8355551B2Method and apparatus for reducing image artifacts

Publication Date: 2013.01.15 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

AI summary

A method and apparatus are provided for reducing motion related imaging artifacts. The method includes determining an internal motion for of two regions of the object, each region having a different level of motion, scanning the first region using a first scan protocol based on the motion, scanning a second region using a second different scan protocol based on the motion, and generating an image of the object based on the first and second regions.