MR Spectroscopy Pulse Sequencing for Fat Signal Suppression

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for suppressing fat signals in magnetic resonance spectroscopy, such as using saturation pulses or adjusting the volume of interest, often affect desired metabolite signals and require manual fine adjustments, leading to variability in precision based on operator experience.

Innovation Solution

A magnetic resonance data acquisition apparatus and method that generates a pulse sequence for acquiring data multiple times, varying the acquisition region or saturation pulse conditions, to automatically determine optimal settings for minimizing fat signal interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If saturation pulses are used to suppress fat signal, then fat signal is suppressed, but desired metabolite signal spectrum is also affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefat signal interferenceVSAvoidmetabolite signal accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the fat suppression process into multiple stages: initial broad-band fat suppression using saturation pulses, followed by selective frequency tuning to target only the fat signal region. This segmentation allows fat suppression while preserving metabolite signals by applying suppression only to specific frequency ranges identified in preliminary scans.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts frequency and bandwidth parameters of saturation pulses based on preliminary spectral analysis. By changing these parameters adaptively, the system optimizes fat suppression effectiveness while minimizing impact on metabolite signals, resolving the contradiction between fat suppression and metabolite signal preservation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If manual adjustment of volume of interest is performed to exclude fat regions, then fat signal interference is reduced, but precision varies depending on operator experience

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefat signal interferenceVSAvoidconsistency of results

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements automated fat signal identification and exclusion through computer processing. The system automatically analyzes spectral data, identifies fat signal characteristics, and adjusts acquisition parameters without operator intervention. This self-service approach eliminates variability based on operator experience while maintaining consistent and reliable fat exclusion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates feedback loops where preliminary spectral scans are automatically analyzed to identify fat signal patterns, and acquisition parameters are adjusted accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures consistent and reliable fat signal exclusion across different operators and sessions, eliminating the variability inherent in manual adjustment methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Object-affected harmful factors

If multiple acquisition methods are attempted to optimize fat suppression, then fat signal is reduced, but acquisition time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefat signal interferenceVSAvoiddata acquisition time

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary spectral acquisition and analysis to identify fat signal characteristics before the main data collection. This preliminary action enables optimization of acquisition parameters in advance, allowing the main acquisition to proceed more efficiently with reduced fat suppression requirements, thereby minimizing overall acquisition time while maintaining effectiveness.

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 approach reduces the influence of fat signals on spectra with high precision, minimizing operator dependency and ensuring consistent results.

Implementation Method 1

a magnetic resonance data acquisition apparatus and method for acquiring magnetic resonance data

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic resonance:

Data Source

PatentUS20260020772A1Magnetic resonance data acquisition apparatus, magnetic resonance data acquisition method, and non-transitory computer readable medium

Publication Date: 2026.01.22 CANON KK

AI summary

According to one embodiment, a magnetic resonance data acquisition apparatus includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to obtain a designated region of interest. The processing circuitry is configured to generate a pulse sequence for acquiring magnetic resonance data multiple times based on the region of interest while changing at least one of a region for acquisition or a condition of setting a saturation pulse. The processing circuitry is configured to acquire multiple pieces of magnetic resonance data according to the pulse sequence.