Magnetic Resonance Slice Positioning Offset Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automatic slice positioning in magnetic resonance examinations often requires manual adjustments, leading to inconsistencies when reusing measurement protocols, as the initial automatic positioning shifts due to prior manual translations or rotations, resulting in undesired slice positioning.

Innovation Solution

A method that determines localization information and alignment information for specific body regions, allowing operators to enter both automatic and manual positioning data, with offset information being calculated and stored separately to ensure precise slice positioning, enabling automatic actuation of the magnetic resonance system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If automatic slice positioning is used to simplify positioning, then ease of operation is improved, but positioning precision deteriorates due to inconsistencies when reusing measurement protocols

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveslice positioningVSAvoidslice positioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning information is segmented into two separate stored components: automatic positioning information (from auto-align function) and manual adjustment information (additional translations/rotations applied by operator). When reusing protocols, both components are retrieved and combined, ensuring that manual adjustments are not lost and positioning accuracy is maintained across multiple uses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback by storing and recalling both automatic and manual positioning information. When a measurement protocol is reused, the system automatically applies the previously stored manual adjustments to the new automatic positioning calculation, creating a feedback loop that preserves operator intent and maintains consistent positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If manual adjustments are applied to correct automatic positioning, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple positioning modes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveslice positioning accuracyVSAvoidpositioning system

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges automatic positioning information and manual adjustment information into a unified positioning approach. Both types of information are stored together in the measurement protocol and automatically combined during execution, allowing the system to maintain precision without requiring complex manual intervention for each protocol reuse.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning system is designed to handle multiple functions through a unified approach: it can perform automatic positioning, store manual adjustments, and automatically combine both when reusing protocols. This multi-functionality is achieved through a single integrated positioning mechanism rather than separate complex subsystems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If measurement protocols are reused with automatic positioning, then productivity is improved, but positioning consistency deteriorates due to shifting slice positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexamination efficiencyVSAvoidslice positioning consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by storing both automatic positioning information and manual adjustment information in the measurement protocol before reuse. When the protocol is executed again, these pre-stored information components are automatically applied, ensuring consistent slice positioning without requiring manual re-adjustment and maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback by automatically retrieving and applying previously stored manual adjustments when reusing measurement protocols. This feedback mechanism ensures that the slice positioning remains consistent across multiple protocol executions, maintaining both productivity and positioning stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10004426B2Method and imaging apparatus for positioning a patient slice from which image data are to be acquired

Publication Date: 2018.06.26 SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS AG

AI summary

In a method for slice positioning of an examination subject in a magnetic resonance system an item of localization information describing the arrangement of the examination subject is automatically determined at least one item of alignment information is automatically determined. At least one slice positioning entry is acquired by an operator, which includes a selection of one of the items of alignment information or an item of manual positioning information. Offset information, which includes a relative slice positioning effected by the manual positioning information, is automatically determined and the slice positioning is determined as a function of the slice positioning entries and the offset information. The offset information is stored separately from the slice positioning in a magnetic resonance measurement protocol, and is used in a further configuration of a further slice positioning.