MRI Patient Centering Offset Calculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current MRI systems face challenges in accurately aligning the isocenter of the magnet with the anatomy of interest, especially when switching between different patient positions, which can result in large movements of the anatomy and require removal or addition of patient support elements, leading to misalignment and suboptimal imaging.
Innovation Solution
A processor-based system that calculates and adjusts the patient positioning to align the anatomy with the isocenter by determining travel distances along specific axes, allowing for automatic repositioning of the patient handling system to ensure precise alignment with the target position within the MRI magnet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the patient is repositioned between different patient positions, then the versatility of imaging is improved, but the anatomy of interest experiences large movements and misalignment with the isocenter
Solution Approach 1:
The system calculates and applies a centering offset before the patient is repositioned between different patient positions. This preliminary action compensates for the expected large movement of the anatomy of interest, ensuring it remains aligned with the isocenter throughout position changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the patient positioning device to dynamically adjust the centering offset. By continuously monitoring the actual position of the patient and comparing it with the expected position, the system refines the alignment compensation to maintain anatomy alignment with the isocenter.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual repositioning is used to align anatomy with isocenter, then alignment precision is improved, but the time required for positioning is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically calculates and applies the centering offset without requiring manual intervention. The positioning device self-adjusts the patient's position based on pre-calculated offsets, eliminating the need for manual repositioning operations while maintaining alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical positioning adjustments with an automated computational approach. By substituting mechanical trial-and-error positioning with calculated offset values, the system achieves precise alignment faster without human intervention.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the patient support elements are removed or added during repositioning, then the ability to change patient positions is improved, but the alignment accuracy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system calculates the appropriate centering offset before patient support elements are removed or added. This preliminary calculation ensures that when the elements are changed, the anatomy of interest remains correctly aligned with the isocenter, preventing misalignment during the transition.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts positioning parameters (centering offsets) in response to changes in patient support elements. By modifying the offset values based on the current configuration of support elements, the system maintains alignment accuracy despite changes in the patient positioning setup.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to aligning a patient with a target position of a magnetic resonance imaging system. For example, a computer may receive an input identifying a set of coordinates to be aligned with a target position of the magnetic resonance imaging system. The coordinates may correspond to a position of an anatomical feature of a patient within the magnetic resonance imaging system. The computer may also calculate a first travel distance and a second travel distance. Each of the first and second travel distances may be a distance along first and second axes, respectively, along which a patient handling system of the magnetic resonance imaging system is capable of moving. The computer may further reposition the patient handling system according to both the first travel distance and the second travel distance such that the anatomical feature is aligned with the target position.