MRI Coil Placement Detection for Off-Label Use Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical MRI systems often fail to detect the body part placed in the connected RF coil, leading to potential image quality issues and safety risks due to off-label use, where the coil is used for anatomical regions not specified in its certification.
Innovation Solution
A posture recognition system using image sensors and machine learning algorithms to determine the subject's posture and RF coil location, comparing it to predefined anatomical ranges to provide a warning signal for correct placement and prevent unsafe or low-quality imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If MRI systems use dedicated RF coils optimized for specific anatomies, then image quality is improved, but the system cannot detect off-label use leading to safety risks and reduced image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a posture recognition system as an intermediary component that mediates between the RF coil and the MRI system. This separate subsystem uses cameras and image processing to detect subject posture and coil placement, allowing the MRI system to identify off-label use without fundamentally altering the core imaging mechanism or coil design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces potential mechanical or direct physical detection methods with an optical-based posture recognition system. Instead of using mechanical sensors or direct contact detection, the system uses cameras and computer vision algorithms to monitor subject positioning and coil placement, reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining detection capability.
2Measurement precision
If the system implements posture recognition to detect coil placement, then off-label use detection is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The posture recognition system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it detects subject posture for safety monitoring, determines coil placement accuracy, and provides data for off-label use detection. This multi-functionality allows a single subsystem to address multiple detection requirements without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses existing imaging infrastructure and automated image processing algorithms to perform detection tasks. The posture recognition system processes camera images using machine learning models that automatically identify anatomical landmarks and coil positions, reducing the need for additional manual intervention or specialized detection hardware.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the system provides real-time warning signals for mismatched coil placement, then safety is improved, but processing time and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs posture recognition and coil placement verification as preliminary actions before the MRI scan begins. By detecting potential off-label use in advance and providing warning signals prior to image acquisition, the system prevents safety issues rather than detecting them during scanning, eliminating the need for repeated scans and reducing overall time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a streamlined detection workflow that quickly processes posture and coil placement data through automated algorithms. The system rapidly compares detected anatomical features against predefined coil specifications and immediately generates warning signals when mismatches are identified, minimizing processing delays and allowing quick correction of placement issues.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed herein is a medical system comprising: - a memory storing machine executable instructions; - a computational system, wherein execution of the machine executable instructions causes the computational system to perform a mismatch check comprising: - receive posture recognition system data, wherein the posture recognition system data comprises a set of subject coordinates and a set of coil coordinates described using a current coordinate system, wherein the set of subject coordinates are descriptive of anatomical features of a subject, wherein the set of coil coordinates are descriptive of a coil location of a magnetic resonance imaging coil, wherein coil data comprising a predefined range of coil positioning coordinates referenced to the anatomical features is associated with the magnetic resonance imaging coil; - determine an allowed range of coil coordinates by mapping the predefined range of coil positioning coordinates to the current coordinate system using the set of subject coordinates and the anatomical features; and - provide a warning signal in case of a mismatch between the set of coil coordinates and the allowed range of coil coordinates.