MR Safety Module for Implant Condition Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional MR systems face difficulties in safely conducting examinations on patients with implanted medical devices due to the complexity of entering MR conditional information, leading to user errors and potential harm.

Innovation Solution

A semi-automatic method and safety module that determine if an MR examination is approved by providing information on contra-indications, locating the cause of these indications, determining characteristic magnetic field parameters, and automatically checking if the examination is safe, reducing user errors through a user interface and automated processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional MR systems are used with manual parameter control, then the system can perform MR examinations, but user errors occur due to complexity in entering implant MR conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of entering implant MR conditionsVSAvoidrisk of user errors
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically retrieves implant MR condition information from the RIS without requiring manual entry by the operator. The safety module autonomously accesses the implant database, extracts relevant MR conditional parameters, and integrates them into the examination protocol, eliminating the need for manual parameter control and reducing user errors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The safety module acts as an intermediary between the RIS and the MR system control. It receives implant information from the RIS, processes the MR conditional data, and automatically configures the MR examination parameters, thereby simplifying the operator's task while ensuring accurate and reliable parameter setting

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If automated determination of magnetic field parameters is implemented, then user errors are reduced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of MR safety assessmentVSAvoidcomplexity of automated detection system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The safety module performs multiple functions within a single integrated system: it retrieves implant information from the RIS, determines the position of the implant relative to the coil, calculates magnetic field parameters, and assesses MR safety. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems into one cohesive unit, managing complexity while enhancing reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary determination of implant position and magnetic field parameters before the actual MR examination begins. By pre-calculating safety parameters and assessing MR conditional compliance in advance, the system ensures accurate safety assessment without adding complexity during the examination procedure itself

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution simplifies the detection process, reducing user errors and enabling safer MR examinations by automating the assessment of MR conditional status and magnetic field parameters, thus facilitating the use of MR systems for patients with implants.

Implementation Method 1

a predetermined MR system, which system includes at least one coil for generating a magnetic field

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field generation: Electromagnet

Data Source

PatentEP3268762B1Method and safety module for a semi-automatic detection whether an mr examination of a person is approved with a predetermined mr system
Publication Date: 2021.10.13 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP3268762B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3268762B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3268762B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for an automatic or semi-automatic detection whether an MR examination of a person (12) is approved with a predetermined MR system (10), which MR system (10) includes at least one coil (14, 16, 18) for generating a magnetic field. According to the invention the method comprises the following steps: - Step 1: providing information whether and which contra-indication for such an MR examination is present for this person (12) (S1); - Step 2: providing information about a location of a cause (30) of the contra-indication within the person (12) (S2); - Step 3: a determination of a position of this cause (30) during the MR examination of said person with respect to the at least one coil (14, 16, 18) (S3); - Step 4: a determination of at least one characteristic parameter of the magnetic field generated by said coil (14, 16, 18) at said position of the cause (30) during the MR examination (S4); and - Step 5: an automatic check, whether the MR examination is approved for the combination of the determined cause (30) of the contra-indication and the determined characteristic parameter of the magnetic field at the location of said cause (30) (S5). The invention relates to a corresponding safety module (26) for an MR system (10) and a corresponding MR system (10).