Multi-parametric MR Liver Diagnosis via T1 Mapping and Spectroscopy
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current diagnostic tools for liver disease, such as ultrasound-guided liver biopsy and magnetic resonance (MR) techniques, are inadequate for early detection and differentiation between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH, due to invasiveness, limited sensitivity, and lack of disease specificity.
Innovation Solution
A multi-parametric magnetic resonance (MR) diagnosis system that uses T1 mapping to quantify extracellular fluid content, combined with measurements of iron and lipid content, to non-invasively diagnose and stage liver diseases like NAFLD, NASH, hepatitis, and iron overload, employing techniques like T1 mapping, T2* imaging, MR spectroscopy, and modified Look Locker inversion recovery (MOLLI) sequences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ultrasound-guided liver biopsy is used for diagnosis, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but patient safety deteriorates due to bleeding risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical invasive biopsy procedure with non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging techniques. Specifically, it uses T1 mapping, T2* imaging, and MR spectroscopy to obtain diagnostic information about liver tissue composition (fibrosis, iron, fat) without mechanical penetration, thereby eliminating bleeding risk while maintaining diagnostic capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnetic resonance imaging as an intermediary diagnostic tool between clinical suspicion and definitive diagnosis. The MR imaging provides intermediate diagnostic information about liver tissue characteristics that can guide further management without requiring direct tissue sampling, thus avoiding the harmful effects of biopsy
2Reliability
If liver biopsy is used for diagnosis, then disease detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases due to procedural requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex procedural requirements of biopsy (ultrasound guidance, needle insertion, tissue handling, histological processing) with a non-invasive MR imaging protocol. The diagnostic information is obtained through magnetic resonance sequences that measure tissue relaxation properties, eliminating the need for mechanical intervention and complex procedural infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a non-invasive copy of the diagnostic information normally obtained from biopsy. By measuring T1 relaxation times, T2* values, and spectral peaks, the system reproduces the tissue characterization data that would otherwise require physical tissue sampling and histological analysis, thereby simplifying the diagnostic pathway
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional MR imaging is used for liver disease diagnosis, then non-invasive diagnosis is achieved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to differentiate NAFLD from NASH
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the liver tissue assessment into three distinct compositional components: fibrosis (measured by T1 relaxation time), iron content (measured by T2* relaxation time), and fat content (measured by MR spectroscopy). By separately quantifying each component, the system achieves precise differentiation between NAFLD (primarily fat) and NASH (fat plus inflammation and fibrosis)
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameters from conventional anatomical imaging to quantitative tissue composition parameters. By measuring T1 relaxation times (sensitive to fibrosis and water content), T2* relaxation times (sensitive to iron), and lipid spectral peaks (sensitive to fat), the system obtains multiple independent parameters that together enable precise disease differentiation without invasion
4Object-affected harmful factors
If transcutaneous elastography is used for fibrosis quantification, then non-invasive measurement is achieved, but measurement precision deteriorates in obese patients due to reduced acoustic windows
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces acoustic wave-based elastography with magnetic resonance-based tissue characterization. MR imaging uses magnetic fields and radiofrequency pulses that penetrate tissue without being blocked by body habitus, eliminating the acoustic window limitation that plagues elastography in obese patients. The T1 and T2* relaxation measurements provide direct tissue composition data independent of body weight
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnetic resonance imaging as an intermediary that bypasses the acoustic transmission problem. Instead of relying on acoustic wave propagation through tissue (which fails in obesity), the system uses magnetic field interaction with tissue protons, which is not attenuated by body composition, thereby providing accurate fibrosis assessment across all patient types
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
Enables rapid, accurate, and non-invasive diagnosis of liver diseases, reducing the need for invasive biopsies and improving the detection of liver fibrosis and iron overload, thereby facilitating targeted therapies.
Implementation Method 1
T1 mapping to quantify extracellular fluid content
Implementation Method 2
T2* imaging
Implementation Method 3
MR spectroscopy
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are systems and methods for performing multi-parametric diagnosis for liver disease. Systems and methods as described herein can include positioning a subject-in association with a medical imaging device and using the medical imaging device to measure the subject's liver for extracellular fluid and iron content. Systems and methods as described herein can further include determining whether iron overload may be indicated or present from the measurement for iron content, and if indicated, correcting the measurement for extra cellular fluid. Systems and methods as described herein can further include measuring the liver for hepatic lipid content (HLC). Systems and methods as described herein can determine the presence or absence of liver disease from measurements obtained from a subject. In certain embodiments, the medical imaging device is a magnetic resonance (MR) scanner. In certain embodiments, the liver is measured for iron overload.