Magnetic Resonance Sequence Optimization for Acoustic Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic resonance sequences often produce high noise levels during image acquisition, requiring manual adjustments of imaging parameters by users, which can lead to undesirable image quality or increased noise, especially for noise-sensitive patients.
Innovation Solution
An automatic optimization method for magnetic resonance sequences that reduces acoustic noise volume by at least 3 dB while maintaining image quality, achieved by adjusting parameters such as echo time, echo spacing, readout bandwidth, and pulse bandwidth, with optional user input for optimization activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If manual adaptation of imaging parameters is performed to reduce acoustic noise, then noise volume decreases, but image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically optimizes imaging parameters without requiring manual user intervention. The sequence optimization unit autonomously analyzes and adjusts parameters to reduce acoustic noise while maintaining image quality, eliminating the need for users to manually adapt parameters and avoiding the associated risks of incorrect modifications
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically modifies imaging parameters such as gradient switching characteristics, echo time, and pulse sequence timing to reduce acoustic noise. These parameter changes are calculated to achieve noise reduction of at least 3 dB while limiting signal-to-noise ratio degradation to a maximum of 35 percent
2Productivity
If gradient switchings are increased to improve image acquisition speed, then productivity increases, but acoustic noise volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts gradient switching parameters during the magnetic resonance sequence optimization process. By optimizing the timing and characteristics of gradient switchings, the system achieves a balance between maintaining fast image acquisition speed and reducing the acoustic noise generated by gradient coil movements
Solution Approach 2:
The optimization process modifies gradient-related parameters including switching timing, amplitude, and duration to reduce acoustic noise while preserving image acquisition efficiency. The system achieves this by carefully controlling the rate of change of gradient fields
3Ease of operation
If automatic optimization is implemented to reduce acoustic noise, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual user operations with an automated computer-based optimization unit. This substitution of manual mechanical adjustment with automated computational optimization simplifies user interaction while the complexity is managed through software algorithms that analyze and adjust parameters based on predefined optimization criteria
Data Source
AI summary
In a method to optimize a magnetic resonance sequence of a magnetic resonance apparatus, the magnetic resonance sequence includes first imaging parameters that, during acquisition of magnetic resonance images by the magnetic resonance sequence, the first imaging parameters produce acoustic noise with a first acoustic noise volume level and magnetic resonance images with image noise at a first signal-to-image noise ratio. An automatic optimization of the imaging parameters is implemented such that during acquisition of magnetic resonance images by the magnetic resonance sequence, the optimized imaging parameters produce acoustic noise with a second acoustic noise volume level and magnetic resonance images with image noise at a second signal-to-image noise ratio. The second acoustic noise volume is reduced by at least 3 dB relative to the first acoustic noise volume and the second signal-to-image noise ratio is reduced by a maximum of 35 percent relative to the first signal-to-image noise ratio.