MR Visible Display Segment for Real-Time Time-Stamp Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current MR imaging systems require invasive modifications to software and hardware to provide consistent time-stamp information, making it difficult to synchronize with external devices and display real-time graphical or numeric information without intimate knowledge of scanner systems.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating MR visible substances and coils within the imaging volume to create display segments that can inject time-stamp or graphical information without modifying the scanner hardware or software, using Maxwell pairs and resonant frequencies to differentiate 'ON' and 'OFF' states for visibility in MR images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If time-stamp information is provided through scanner software modifications, then consistent time-stamp information is available, but the system complexity and difficulty of implementation increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device (external computer or controller) that acts as a mediator between the scanner system and the display system. This intermediary receives trigger signals from the scanner, generates time-stamp information, and displays it independently, thereby avoiding the need to modify scanner software while maintaining consistent time-stamping
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into separate functional modules: the scanner system, the trigger signal interface, the time-stamp generation system, and the display system. This segmentation allows each component to operate independently without requiring modifications to the scanner's core software, reducing implementation complexity
2Loss of information
If time-stamp information is provided after image reconstruction, then the information is available in exported images, but real-time synchronization with external devices is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by setting up trigger signal interfaces and display systems before the imaging study begins. Time-stamp information is generated and displayed in real-time during the scan, enabling synchronization with external devices throughout the study rather than only after reconstruction
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where trigger signals from the scanner provide real-time information to the display system, creating a closed-loop synchronization system that maintains accurate time-stamping throughout the imaging process
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pulse sequences are utilized, then imaging flexibility increases, but the difficulty of software modification and synchronization increases
Solution Approach 1:
The trigger signal interface is designed with universal functionality to work with multiple different pulse sequences and scanner models. The system can recognize and respond to trigger signals from various imaging sequences without requiring sequence-specific modifications, maintaining flexibility while reducing complexity
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
Enables real-time display of graphical or numeric information within MR images without requiring extensive knowledge of scanner systems, facilitating synchronization and data validation in dynamic imaging studies.
Implementation Method 1
at least one display segment having an MR visible substance therein is placed at least partially inside an imaging volume of the MR image
Implementation Method 2
using Maxwell pairs and resonant frequencies to differentiate 'ON' and 'OFF' states for visibility in MR images
Data Source
AI summary
In a system or method to enable display of real-time graphical or numeric information within an MR image, at least one display segment having an MR visible substance therein is placed at least partially inside an imaging volume of the MR image.