Magnetic Resonance Fingerprinting Dictionary Tuning for Resolution and Speed

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) dictionaries face challenges in achieving optimal imaging velocity and image resolution due to their size being either too large or too small, leading to inefficiencies in imaging processes.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for determining a target step size for each tissue property in MRF reconstruction, using a fitness function to optimize imaging velocity and satisfy image resolution conditions, thereby generating an optimal MRF dictionary size that balances velocity and resolution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the MRF dictionary size is increased, then the image resolution is improved, but the imaging velocity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage resolutionVSAvoidimaging velocity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying the step size parameters for different tissue properties (T1, T2, PD) to find the optimal configuration. The fitness function evaluates different parameter combinations and identifies the target step size that achieves the best balance between image resolution and imaging velocity, resolving the contradiction between these two opposing requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by using an iterative optimization process that dynamically adjusts the dictionary parameters based on fitness evaluation. The system transitions from static, user-defined step sizes to dynamic, optimized target step sizes that are determined through multiple iterations of the fitness function, allowing the system to adaptively find the optimal balance between resolution and velocity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the MRF dictionary size is decreased, then the imaging velocity is improved, but the image resolution deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimaging velocityVSAvoidimage resolution
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses parameter changes to systematically explore different dictionary configurations by modifying the step size parameters. The fitness function evaluates how different parameter settings affect both imaging velocity and image resolution, identifying the target step size that prevents resolution deterioration while maintaining improved velocity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The iterative optimization process dynamically adjusts dictionary parameters to find the optimal size configuration. Through multiple iterations, the system learns the appropriate balance point where imaging velocity is maximized without sacrificing image resolution, transforming the static dictionary into a dynamically optimized structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of manufacture

If user-defined step size is used, then the dictionary generation is simple, but the imaging velocity and image resolution cannot be optimized simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedictionary generation simplicityVSAvoidimage resolution
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by introducing a fitness function that evaluates the quality of different dictionary configurations based on both image resolution and imaging velocity. This feedback mechanism guides the optimization process, allowing the system to automatically adjust step size parameters to achieve optimal performance without requiring complex user input, thus maintaining ease of manufacture while improving precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies self-service by enabling automatic optimization of dictionary parameters through the fitness function and iterative process. Instead of requiring users to manually define optimal step sizes, the system autonomously determines the target step size that simultaneously optimizes image resolution and imaging velocity, freeing users from complex parameter tuning while achieving superior results.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of manufacture

If user-defined step size is used, then the dictionary generation is simple, but the imaging velocity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedictionary generation simplicityVSAvoidimaging velocity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The fitness function provides feedback on imaging velocity performance for different step size configurations. This feedback enables the system to automatically identify and select parameter settings that maximize imaging velocity, maintaining the simplicity of dictionary generation while dramatically improving velocity performance through data-driven optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service optimization by automatically determining the optimal step size parameters that maximize imaging velocity. The iterative fitness evaluation process autonomously identifies velocity-optimizing configurations without requiring user expertise, maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving superior imaging velocity through intelligent self-optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12361549B2Systems and methods for determining a resolution of a dictionary for a magnetic resonance fingerprinting reconstruction
Publication Date: 2025.07.15 UNITED IMAGING RES INST OF INNOVATIVE MEDICAL EQUIP
  • US12361549B2 patent drawing
  • US12361549B2 patent drawing
  • US12361549B2 patent drawing

AI summary

The present disclosure is related to systems and methods for determining a resolution of a dictionary for a magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) reconstruction. The method includes obtaining one or more tissue properties; determining an image resolution condition based on an image resolution of the MRF reconstruction; and determining, based on a fitness function and the image resolution condition, a target step size for each of the one or more tissue properties. The target step size for the each of the one more tissue properties is an optimal solution of the fitness function, which represents an imaging velocity of the MRF reconstruction. The target step size for the each of the one more tissue properties satisfies the image resolution condition.