MRI Receive Coil-Based Body Position Recognition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical imaging systems, such as MRI apparatuses, face challenges in accurately and efficiently recognizing the body position of a subject due to partial body concealment by receive coils or blankets, necessitating high computational power or prolonged processing times for precise image recognition.

Innovation Solution

A medical imaging support device that utilizes a processor to determine the body position of a subject based on receive coil information, including steps such as coil type, connection position, and subject or coil features, enabling rapid and accurate recognition without requiring high-precision image processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If high-precision image recognition is performed to recognize body position when parts of the subject are hidden, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to requiring high computational power and long processing time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebody position recognition accuracyVSAvoidprocessing speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The body position recognition process is segmented into multiple determination steps based on receive coil information. The processor first determines body position using receive coil type, then progressively uses connection position and feature information only when needed, dividing the recognition task into hierarchical stages that balance accuracy and processing efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of performing full high-precision image recognition on all subjects, the system applies partial action by using receive coil information to determine body position in many cases, resorting to more complex image recognition only when necessary. This reduces overall processing requirements while maintaining sufficient accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Measurement precision

If comprehensive image recognition processing is applied to all subjects, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to requiring additional high-performance computing devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebody position recognition accuracyVSAvoidsystem configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The receive coil serves multiple functions: it is used for its primary imaging purpose and simultaneously provides body position determination information. By utilizing the receive coil's connection position and type information, the system achieves body position recognition without requiring separate dedicated sensing devices, reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The receive coil itself provides the information needed for body position determination. The processor uses the receive coil's inherent characteristics (type, connection position) to determine body position, eliminating the need for external high-performance recognition devices. The system serves itself by using existing components for multiple purposes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4685509A1Medical imaging support device, method for operating medical imaging support device, program, and medical imaging apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 FUJIFILM CORP
  • EP4685509A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4685509A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4685509A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided are a medical imaging support device, a method for operating a medical imaging support device, a program, and a medical imaging apparatus that achieve accurate and rapid recognition of a body position of a subject. A medical imaging support device includes a second memory that stores a correspondence relationship between a type of a receive coil and a plurality of steps of determining a body position of a subject, acquires receive coil information indicating a type of a receive coil used to capture a medical image of the subject, determine whether or not the plurality of steps need to be performed according to the receive coil information, and perform a step determined to need to be performed.