Contrast Arrival Detection in Dynamic MRI Using Signal Intensity Histograms

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for detecting contrast media arrival in time-resolved medical images are inefficient due to the need for manual inspection and are prone to errors caused by imaging artifacts and patient motion, leading to false positives and increased time and cost in clinical settings.

Innovation Solution

An automated system and method that computes signal intensity frequency distributions to determine contrast arrival phases, distinguishing between actual and false positives by analyzing relative changes in signal intensity frequency distributions and using a global arrival measurement to select relevant temporal phases for post-processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual inspection is used to detect contrast media arrival, then detection accuracy is improved, but time consumption and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-detection of contrast media arrival by automatically analyzing signal intensity changes in the image data without requiring manual inspection. The automated algorithm processes the dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI data to identify contrast arrival based on signal enhancement patterns, eliminating the need for clinician intervention while maintaining detection accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical inspection process is replaced with an automated computational system that uses signal intensity analysis algorithms. The system substitutes human visual inspection with computer-based detection methods that analyze temporal signal changes to determine contrast media arrival, reducing time consumption while preserving accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of time

If automated detection methods are used, then time consumption is reduced, but reliability decreases due to artifacts and patient motion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime consumptionVSAvoiddetection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring signal intensity changes across multiple temporal phases and using this information to adjust and refine contrast arrival detection. The algorithm analyzes the temporal pattern of signal enhancement and uses feedback from signal intensity trends to distinguish true contrast arrival from false positives caused by artifacts or patient motion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary analysis of signal intensity frequency distributions before final contrast arrival determination. By pre-processing the data to establish baseline signal characteristics and identifying potential artifact patterns in advance, the system prepares the detection algorithm to reliably distinguish true contrast enhancement from false positives during the actual detection process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If manual inspection is performed on every dataset, then detection accuracy is maintained, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidprocessing throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The automated system applies detection algorithms to all necessary temporal phases systematically, processing only the relevant data portions required for accurate detection. By optimizing the scope of analysis to focus on key temporal windows where contrast arrival occurs, the system maintains high detection accuracy while maximizing processing throughput and productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS8848998B1Automated method for contrast media arrival detection for dynamic contrast enhanced MRI

Publication Date: 2014.09.30 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

AI summary

This invention provides an automated system and method for determining contrast media arrival in vessels near tissues of interest that have been imaged using a predetermined imaging system that produces a plurality of temporally phased images. The system and method reliably distinguishes between actual contrast arrival and potential false positives that can render basic automated techniques inoperable or unreliable. In an illustrative embodiment, the system and method for determining a contrast arrival phase in a plurality of temporal phases of a medical image dataset of tissue includes an image pre-processor or process that, for each of at least a subset of the temporal phases of the medical image dataset, with at least a subset of the signal intensity values respectively in each of the temporal phases, computes signal intensity frequency distributions. An arrival phase analysis processor or process then determines the contrast arrival phase as a function of a relative change in the signal intensity frequency distributions between each of the temporal phases. The signal intensity frequency distributions can be characterized as histograms in an illustrative embodiment. The arrival phase can further be used for setting proper parameters in which to post-process temporally phased images using various methods for tissue perfusion analysis.