MRI Body Mold with Multi-Layer Resonant Volumes for Field Evaluation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for ensuring magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) quality through static magnetic field uniformity correction are costly, complex, and time-consuming, especially in remote locations where transportation and operation of magnetometers are challenging.
Innovation Solution
A body mold for MRI systems comprising a multi-layer structure with substrates containing first and second resonant volumes of different longitudinal relaxation times, allowing separate imaging and merging of images to evaluate magnetic field strength and gradient field errors accurately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If magnetometers are disposed on a support and manually rotated to measure magnetic field strength, then magnetic field uniformity correction can be achieved, but the device complexity and operational difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The body mold itself serves as the measurement medium by containing resonant volumes that generate MR signals for magnetic field evaluation. The system measures its own environmental parameters without requiring external magnetometers or support structures, thereby simplifying the device while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical measurement system (magnetometers on manually rotated supports) with an MR-based measurement system. Instead of using physical magnetometers that require manual positioning, the invention uses resonant volumes within the body mold to obtain magnetic field information through MR signal processing, eliminating complex mechanical components.
2Measurement precision
If magnetometers are manually rotated to measure magnetic field strength at different positions, then shimming can be performed, but the process becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The body mold with resonant volumes is prepared in advance and placed in the examination space before actual MR imaging. The resonant volumes are pre-positioned at specific locations to enable comprehensive magnetic field evaluation across the imaging space, allowing rapid assessment without time-consuming manual measurements during the imaging process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces time-consuming manual rotation and measurement processes with automated MR-based evaluation. The resonant volumes generate signals that are processed to evaluate magnetic field strength and uniformity across multiple positions simultaneously, eliminating the sequential manual measurement process and significantly reducing evaluation time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single measuring device is shared by multiple remote medical institutions, then transportation costs increase and damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each medical institution can use its own MR system to perform magnetic field evaluation using the body mold with resonant volumes. The system is self-contained and does not require external shared measuring devices, eliminating transportation needs while maintaining universal applicability across different institutions and MR systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The body mold with resonant volumes is designed to be universally compatible with different MR systems at various medical institutions. The same body mold can be used across multiple institutions without modification, and each institution's MR system can independently perform magnetic field evaluation, creating a universal solution that eliminates the need for shared specialized measuring devices.
4Measurement precision
If conventional measuring devices are used for magnetic field correction, then the structure becomes complicated and operation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The body mold with resonant volumes automatically performs the measurement function when placed in the MR system. The resonant volumes generate MR signals that are processed to evaluate magnetic field characteristics, eliminating the need for complex manual operations required by conventional magnetometer-based systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement operations with automated MR signal processing. Instead of requiring operators to manually position and operate magnetometers, the system uses the inherent MR signal properties from the resonant volumes to automatically evaluate magnetic field strength and uniformity, significantly simplifying the operational process.
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
Enhances the accuracy and resolution of magnetic field and gradient field evaluations, reducing costs and operational complexity by enabling precise mapping and correction of field distortions without the need for manual manipulation of magnetometers.
Implementation Method 1
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as a medical imaging modality, can obtain images of the human body without using X-rays or other ionizing radiation. MRI uses a magnet having a strong magnetic field to generate a static magnetic field B0. When a to-be-imaged part of the human body is positioned in the static magnetic field B0, nuclear spin associated with hydrogen nuclei in human tissues is polarized.
Implementation Method 2
The first resonant volumes and the second resonant volumes have different longitudinal relaxation times T1
Data Source
AI summary
Provided in embodiments of the present invention are a body mold, a magnetic resonance imaging system, and a main magnetic field evaluation method and a gradient field evaluation method therefor. The body mold comprises a plurality of substrates, wherein the plurality of substrates are sequentially arranged to form a multi-layer structure in a three-dimensional space. Each substrate is provided with a plurality of first accommodation bodies for accommodating first resonant volumes and a plurality of second accommodation bodies for accommodating second resonant volumes. The plurality of first accommodation bodies and the plurality of second accommodation bodies are arranged at intervals. The first resonant volumes and the second resonant volumes have different longitudinal relaxation times T1.