Digital Twin for MRI System Modeling

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The high complexity and cost of magnetic resonance tomography systems pose significant challenges in research and development, requiring extensive time and financial resources, and existing methods lack efficient simulation tools to emulate individual components while maintaining interface transitions and signal/data exchange.

Innovation Solution

A digital twin of a magnetic resonance tomography system is created using computer-implemented modules with pre-defined interfaces, allowing for the simulation of individual components and analysis of system behavior, reducing development costs and enabling rapid modifications without altering real hardware.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If real components are used in magnetic resonance tomography systems, then the system provides accurate diagnostic imaging functionality, but the research and development costs and time expenditure increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediagnostic imaging functionalityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a digital twin that is a virtual copy of the magnetic resonance tomography system, including virtual models of all physical components such as the magnet, gradient coils, and RF systems. This digital replica allows researchers to simulate and analyze system behavior without requiring physical hardware, thereby reducing R&D costs and complexity while maintaining functional accuracy for diagnostic imaging evaluation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the physical mechanical and electromagnetic system with a computer-based simulation system. The digital twin uses software models to replicate the electromagnetic fields, signal processing, and image reconstruction algorithms, substituting physical components with computational equivalents that eliminate the need for expensive hardware modifications and prototypes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If prototypes are produced for testing and development, then system improvements can be evaluated, but the production time and costs increase non-negligibly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem performance evaluationVSAvoidprototype production time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary testing and evaluation within the digital twin environment before any physical prototype production. Researchers can perform virtual experiments, adjust parameters, and validate design changes in the simulation, ensuring that only optimized designs are eventually built physically. This preliminary action in the digital domain eliminates repeated prototype iterations and significantly reduces production time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

By creating a faithful digital replica of the tomography system, the patent enables virtual prototyping where design variations can be tested without physical manufacturing. The digital twin preserves all interface transitions and signal exchanges, allowing comprehensive performance evaluation of different configurations without the time and cost of producing physical prototypes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Device complexity

If simulations are created for individual subcomponents, then development costs are reduced, but maintaining existing interfaces between subcomponents becomes challenging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevelopment costsVSAvoidinterface compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the digital twin with universal interface standards that replicate the actual hardware interfaces between subcomponents. The virtual models of the magnet, gradient system, RF components, and image reconstruction modules all communicate through standardized data protocols and interface definitions, ensuring that the simulation maintains the same adaptability and interface compatibility as the physical system while enabling cost-effective virtual development

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

Data Source

PatentUS20240012960A1Magnetic Resonance Tomography System Modeling
Publication Date: 2024.01.11 SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS AG
  • US20240012960A1 patent drawing
  • US20240012960A1 patent drawing

AI summary

An apparatus for modeling a magnetic resonance tomography system, designed to provide a digital twin of the magnetic resonance tomography system, wherein the digital twin includes pre-defined interfaces corresponding to the interfaces between individual components of the magnetic resonance tomography system.