MRI Controller Guide Information for Aliasing Artifact Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems face challenges in predicting and preventing artifacts, particularly aliasing artifacts, during the imaging process, which affect the accuracy and quality of MR images.

Innovation Solution

An MRI device is equipped with a display and controller that allow users to set a region of interest (ROI) and provide guide information to prevent aliasing artifacts by adjusting the ROI size, using outer-volume suppression methods, and emitting MR signals only from the ROI, based on signal region analysis and user input.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the ROI is set to cover the entire signal region, then aliasing artifacts are prevented, but the scan time increases and imaging efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveartifact preventionVSAvoidscan time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis of the signal region distribution before actual imaging, predicts where aliasing artifacts would occur, and provides guide information to users in advance. This allows users to set an optimized ROI that prevents artifacts without unnecessarily covering the entire signal region, thus reducing scan time while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback to users through guide information displayed on the interface, showing the predicted location of aliasing artifacts and suggesting optimal ROI settings. This feedback loop enables users to make informed decisions about ROI configuration, balancing artifact prevention with scan time efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If the ROI is reduced to decrease scan time, then imaging efficiency improves, but aliasing artifacts may occur reducing image quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimaging efficiencyVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Before imaging begins, the system analyzes the signal region and predicts where aliasing would occur with the current ROI settings. This preliminary assessment allows users to adjust the ROI to achieve optimal imaging efficiency while maintaining image quality by avoiding artifact-prone regions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides real-time feedback through guide information that shows users the relationship between their ROI selection and potential artifact occurrence. This enables users to optimize ROI size and position for both efficiency and quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If guide information is provided to users about artifact prevention, then user ability to prevent artifacts improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser control capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically performs signal region analysis and artifact prediction, then presents the results as guide information to users. The complex computational tasks are handled automatically by the system, while users only need to review the guidance and make simple ROI adjustments, achieving ease of operation without requiring the user to understand the underlying complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The guide information acts as an intermediary that translates complex signal processing and artifact prediction results into user-friendly visual feedback. This intermediary layer shields users from system complexity while enabling them to make informed decisions about ROI configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This approach enables more efficient and precise MR image generation by predicting and preventing artifacts, improving image quality and reducing scan time by providing users with methods to adjust settings and suppress unwanted signals.

Implementation Method 1

An MRI system forms a static magnetic field and aligns magnetic dipole moments of specific atomic nuclei of an object located in the static magnetic field in a direction of the static magnetic field

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field alignment: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

A gradient magnetic field coil may form a gradient magnetic field by applying a gradient signal to a static magnetic field and induce a resonance frequency differently for each part of an object

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field gradient: Magnetism

Implementation Method 3

An RF coil may emit an RF signal according to a resonance frequency of a region to be imaged

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRF signal emission: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 4

as the gradient magnetic field is formed, the RF coil may receive MR signals of different resonance frequencies radiated from various parts of the object

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMR signal reception: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3718474B1Method for providing guide information associated with artifacts and magnetic resonance imaging device therefor
Publication Date: 2023.02.15 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3718474B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3718474B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3718474B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device according to one embodiment is provided. The MRI device includes: a display configured to display a first image of an object; a controller configured to determine a signal region of the object based on the first image of the object; and a user input device configured to receive a user input of setting a region of interest (ROI) on the first image. When the set ROI is part of the signal region of the object, the controller is further configured to control the display to display guide information for preventing aliasing artifacts from occurring in a second image to be generated based on the set ROI.