MR Navigator Data Allocation via Cluster Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current MR scans face challenges in accurately identifying movement states during signal acquisition, particularly in abdominal regions, due to movement artifacts and the need for precise breathing information, which is not effectively addressed by existing navigator scans that differ from diagnostic imaging sequences.
Innovation Solution
A method using cluster analysis on MR navigator data sets to allocate imaging signals to predefined movement states, with identical RF excitation pulses and volumes to diagnostic scans, allowing parallel data acquisition and minimizing disruption to magnetization equilibrium, enabling effective identification and reconstruction of movement states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If navigator scans are used to determine movement states, then movement information can be obtained, but the navigator scans differ from diagnostic imaging sequences which reduces effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines navigator data acquisition with diagnostic imaging sequences by using identical RF excitation pulses and excitation volumes for both purposes. This merging allows movement state determination to be integrated into the diagnostic workflow without requiring separate, incompatible scan protocols, thereby resolving the contradiction between obtaining movement information and maintaining compatibility with diagnostic sequences
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging sequence is designed to serve dual functions: acquiring both diagnostic MR signals and navigator data for movement state determination. By making the sequence universal and applicable to both diagnostic imaging and movement tracking with the same parameters and excitation pulses, the system eliminates the mismatch between separate navigator and diagnostic sequences
2Productivity
If cluster analysis is applied to navigator data sets to identify movement states, then effective allocation of imaging signals to movement states is achieved, but computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies cluster analysis to segment the acquired navigator data sets into distinct movement states (e.g., different breathing phases). By dividing the continuous movement data into discrete, identifiable clusters corresponding to specific movement states, the system efficiently allocates imaging signals to these states while managing computational complexity through structured data organization
Solution Approach 2:
The cluster analysis acts as an intermediary processing step that bridges raw navigator data and movement state identification. This intermediary computational layer organizes and interprets the complex navigator data sets, enabling efficient allocation of imaging signals to movement states without requiring direct complex processing of all raw data
Data Source
AI summary
In a method and apparatus for allocating MR imaging signals from a person under examination to N different movement states that occur in the person under examination. MR signals are acquired for the creation of MR images that represent at least one region of the person under examination. A number of MR navigator data sets of the person under examination also are acquired. A cluster analysis is applied to the MR navigator data sets in order to identify similarities in the MR navigator data sets. Similar navigator data sets are allocated to a movement state of the person under examination, the multiple navigator data sets all being allocated respectively to one movement state of the N movement states. The MR imaging signals acquired thus can be allocated to the N movement states.