Automated MR Slice Positioning for Consistent Volume Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current magnetic resonance (MR) examination methods rely heavily on operator expertise to determine slice positions, leading to inconsistent coverage of predetermined volumes and volume segments, which can result in suboptimal diagnoses and increased error rates due to manual parameter setting.
Innovation Solution
An automated method for determining slice positions in MR examinations, where parameters such as slice direction, interval, thickness, and number of slices are adapted to ensure precise coverage of predetermined volumes and volume segments, reducing operator dependency and improving diagnostic accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual parameter setting is used for MR examinations, then operator flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but coverage consistency and measurement precision deteriorate due to operator variability
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically calculating and storing reference volumes from initial MR examinations, then uses these pre-determined volumes to guide subsequent slice positioning, eliminating the need for manual parameter setting while ensuring consistent coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy of the reference volume from a previous MR examination and uses this copied volume data to automatically determine slice positions in current examinations, ensuring that the same anatomical regions are consistently covered without operator intervention
2Reliability
If multiple MR examinations are conducted with manually set parameters, then comprehensive volume coverage can be achieved, but time consumption and productivity decrease due to repeated manual parameter adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculation of slice positions based on reference volumes before the actual examination, allowing multiple examinations to be conducted with automatically determined parameters, thus maintaining reliable volume coverage while significantly reducing the time required for parameter adjustment
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically changes slice parameters (thickness, interval, direction) based on the predetermined reference volume, allowing comprehensive coverage to be achieved without manual intervention, thereby improving productivity while maintaining examination reliability
3Manufacturing precision
If manual determination of slice positions is performed, then detailed parameter control is possible, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase due to the need for operator expertise
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically determining slice positions based on predetermined reference volumes, eliminating the need for operator expertise in manual parameter adjustment while maintaining precise parameter control through automated calculations
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically adjusts slice parameters based on the reference volume and examination requirements, providing detailed parameter control without requiring operator intervention, thus reducing operational complexity while maintaining precision
Data Source
AI summary
Two method and device embodiments allow automatic determination of slice positions in an MR examination in an MR system. In the first embodiment, a volume to be measured by the MR examination is predetermined. The MR examination is subsequently planned in that at least one of the parameters slice direction, slice interval, slice thickness, number of slices for the MR examination is adapted such that an extent in the slice direction of the MR examination essentially corresponds to the predetermined volume. In the second embodiment, at least one volume segment is predetermined. Multiple slices for the MR examination are subsequently determined such that each volume segment is contained in at least one of the slices.