Motion-Tracked MRI Susceptibility Measurement During Continuous Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current MRI methods for estimating magnetic susceptibility require patients to remain still in fixed positions for extended periods, leading to measurement errors and discomfort, especially for those with neurological disorders, making it difficult to derive accurate molecular composition data.
Innovation Solution
An MRI scanner system configured with a pulse sequence protocol and motion tracking hardware allows patients to move continuously during data collection, with data organized into bins based on motion registration, enabling accurate magnetic susceptibility estimation using both intra-bin and adjacent data points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If patients remain still in fixed positions for extended periods to obtain accurate magnetic susceptibility measurements, then measurement precision is improved, but patient comfort deteriorates and acquisition time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from requiring static patient positioning to allowing continuous motion during MRI data acquisition. Motion tracking hardware monitors patient movement in real-time, and the pulse sequence protocol is designed to capture sufficient data despite motion, enabling accurate magnetic susceptibility measurements without requiring patients to remain still.
Solution Approach 2:
Motion tracking hardware provides real-time feedback about patient position and movement. This feedback is used to adjust the data acquisition and processing, allowing the system to compensate for motion and maintain measurement accuracy even when patients are moving or changing positions during the scan.
2Measurement precision
If patients remain still in fixed positions for extended periods to obtain accurate magnetic susceptibility measurements, then measurement precision is improved, but acquisition time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables continuous data acquisition during patient motion rather than requiring repeated scans at fixed positions. The pulse sequence protocol and motion tracking work together to capture useful magnetic susceptibility data continuously throughout the scan, reducing total acquisition time while maintaining accuracy through post-processing of the continuous data stream.
3Measurement precision
If traditional fixed-position MRI scanning is used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple positioning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The MRI scanner is enhanced with motion tracking hardware that serves multiple functions: it monitors patient position, provides feedback for real-time adjustment, and enables the system to handle both static and dynamic scanning scenarios. This multi-functional addition allows the same system to maintain measurement precision while accommodating patient motion without requiring separate specialized equipment.
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 approach provides comfortable and efficient magnetic susceptibility measurements, reducing acquisition time and minimizing patient strain while maintaining accuracy by utilizing continuous motion tracking and data binning techniques.
Implementation Method 1
a patient is placed into a chamber (e.g., MRI scanner) that generates a strong magnetic field around the patient. The magnetic field can cause hydrogen atoms within the patient's body to emit a radio frequency (RF) signal
Implementation Method 2
the phase information generated from an MRI scan can be used to measure the magnetic susceptibility of the tissue in the human body
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for estimating magnetic susceptibility of a patient through continuous motion in an MRI scanner are provided herein. In one or more examples, during the collection of data, the patient can be instructed to move their head or other part of the body in a continuous manner and for a fixed duration of time. During the fixed duration of time, magnitude a data from the RF signal can be received by one or more RF coils can be collected. The received and undersampled magnitude data can be converted to phase data which can then be converted to magnetic susceptibility. Thus magnetic susceptibility can be determined while allowing for continuous motion during the MRI scan, which can be more comfortable and feasible for the patient in contrast to techniques that require the patient to hold their body at a particular orientation in the scanner for a fixed duration of time.