MRI ECG Gating Irregular Heartbeat Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ECG gated magnetic resonance imaging techniques face issues with irregular heartbeats, leading to prolonged imaging times and discarded data due to the need to restart imaging when irregular synchronization intervals are detected.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and method that includes an acquiring unit for synchronized raw data, a detecting unit for irregular synchronization intervals, and an acquisition control unit to reacquire raw data during irregular intervals, utilizing a raw-data buffer to manage and reacquire data only when synchronization is regular.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ECG gated imaging is performed with conventional restart-on-irregularity method, then irregular synchronization intervals can be detected, but imaging time becomes long and data is discarded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the discarding and recovering principle by detecting irregular synchronization intervals and selectively discarding only the affected raw data segments rather than the entire dataset. The system recovers from irregularities by reacquiring only the specific data segments corresponding to irregular heartbeats, thereby maintaining overall imaging efficiency while ensuring data quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by continuously monitoring ECG signals and detecting irregular synchronization intervals in advance during the imaging process. This allows the system to proactively identify problematic data segments and reacquire them before they compromise the final image quality, rather than waiting for complete imaging cycles to finish.
2Manufacturing precision
If imaging is restarted from beginning when irregular synchronization interval is detected, then data quality is maintained, but collected data is discarded and imaging time is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the imaging process into discrete segments corresponding to individual heartbeats or cardiac cycles. When an irregular synchronization interval is detected, only the affected segment is identified and reacquired, rather than restarting the entire imaging sequence. This segmented approach maintains image quality while preserving the data from regular heartbeats.
Solution Approach 2:
The system selectively discards only the raw data segments corresponding to irregular heartbeats while preserving data from regular heartbeats. By recovering and reacquiring only the discarded segments, the system maintains manufacturing precision (image quality) without the productivity loss associated with complete restarts.
3Reliability
If complete imaging restart is performed, then data integrity is ensured, but time required for imaging increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements discarding and recovering by identifying and isolating only the specific time segments during which irregular synchronization occurred. These problematic segments are discarded and reacquired separately, while the rest of the imaging data is preserved. This approach ensures data integrity for the final image while minimizing the increase in total imaging duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from continuous ECG monitoring to detect irregular synchronization intervals in real-time. This feedback mechanism allows the imaging system to adaptively adjust its data acquisition strategy, reacquiring only when necessary based on actual physiological conditions, thereby maintaining data integrity without unnecessary delays.
Data Source
AI summary
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus collects raw data about a subject in a synchronized manner with an electrocardiographic signal of the subject. An Electrocardiogram (ECG) gating unit detects an irregular synchronization interval with respect to the electrocardiographic signal. When the ECG gating unit detects an irregular synchronization interval, a real-time sequencer controls a gradient magnetic-field power source, a transmitting unit, and the like so as to reacquire raw data that is acquired during the irregular synchronization interval.