Magnetic Resonance Fingerprinting Sequence for Noise Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional MRI techniques cause undesirable vibrations and loud noises due to repetitive identical acquisition blocks, leading to patient discomfort.
Innovation Solution
Magnetic Resonance Fingerprinting (MRF) acquisition blocks with variable RF energy pulses and gradient switches are used to create a series of varied acquisition blocks that mimic musical waveforms, reducing vibrations and producing pleasing sounds while acquiring diagnostic data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If repetitive identical acquisition blocks are used in conventional MRI, then diagnostic image quality is maintained, but loud noises and patient discomfort occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transforming the static, repetitive acquisition blocks into dynamic, varied acquisition patterns. The system randomly varies acquisition parameters such as echo time, inversion time, and flip angles across different blocks, creating a dynamic fingerprinting sequence that eliminates the repetitive nature causing loud noises while preserving diagnostic information through pattern recognition analysis
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by systematically varying multiple acquisition parameters including repetition time, echo time, inversion time, and flip angles across different acquisition blocks. These parameter variations change the temporal and spatial characteristics of the acquired signals, reducing repetitive vibrations and associated noises while maintaining the ability to extract diagnostic tissue characteristics through fingerprint matching
2Object-affected harmful factors
If variable MRF acquisition blocks are used to reduce vibrations, then patient comfort improves, but acquisition complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by implementing automated fingerprint matching algorithms that automatically compare acquired signal patterns against a library of simulated tissue fingerprints. The system autonomously identifies tissue types and characteristics without manual intervention, processing the complex varied acquisition data through computational matching to simplify the overall workflow despite the increased acquisition variability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through an iterative optimization process where acquisition parameters are adjusted based on the matching quality between acquired fingerprints and reference patterns. The system provides feedback on tissue characterization accuracy and uses this information to refine parameter selection, ensuring that the increased acquisition complexity yields proportional improvements in diagnostic accuracy
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
MRF effectively mitigates unpleasant sounds associated with conventional MRI, enhancing the patient experience by producing music or harmonious sounds during the procedure without compromising diagnostic image quality.
Implementation Method 1
Conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) involves using similar to identical acquisition blocks over and over
Implementation Method 2
gradients other than the phase encoding gradient may be held constant
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with optimizing sounds produced during nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) fingerprinting are described. One example NMR apparatus includes an NMR logic to repetitively and variably sample a (k, t, E) space associated with a patient to acquire a set of NMR signals. Members of the set of NMR signals are associated with different points in the (k, t, E) space. Sampling is performed with t and/or E varying in a non-constant way. The varying parameters may include flip angle, echo time, RF amplitude, and other parameters. The parameters are varied in different acquisition blocks to facilitate matching sounds produced in response to the acquisition blocks to a desired set of sounds. The desired set of sounds may be a musical piece.