MRI Eddy Current Correction Using Metabolite-Suppressed Signals
Solution Overview
Problem
Current MRI systems face challenges in enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of signals from target metabolites during magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), particularly due to the influence of eddy currents which can deteriorate the quality of MR signals.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an MRI apparatus with an acquiring part that suppresses magnetic resonance signal components from predetermined metabolites, such as water or fat, and an analysis part that performs eddy current correction processing to obtain a frequency spectrum of the signals, thereby improving the SNR by removing unwanted signal components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If eddy current correction is performed using conventional MR signals, then the correction processing can be applied, but the SNR deteriorates due to the influence of metabolite signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes metabolite signal components (such as lipid signals) from the MR signals before performing eddy current correction. This is achieved through spectral processing that identifies and eliminates specific metabolite frequency components, allowing the eddy current correction to be applied to cleaned signals that do not contain interfering metabolite influences, thereby improving the SNR of target metabolite measurements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the MR signal processing into distinct stages: first suppressing metabolite signals through spectral filtering, then performing eddy current correction on the processed signals. This segmentation allows each processing step to be optimized independently, with the metabolite suppression stage removing harmful components before the correction stage improves signal quality
2Reliability
If MR signals containing metabolite components are used for eddy current correction, then the correction can be performed, but the quality of frequency spectrum deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful metabolite signal interference into a benefit by using spectral processing to identify and remove specific metabolite components. The removed metabolite information is discarded, while the cleaned signal structure is preserved and enhanced for subsequent eddy current correction, ultimately improving the reliability of the frequency spectrum for MRS analysis
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 effectively reduces the deterioration in SNR caused by eddy currents, allowing for more accurate MRS analysis by enhancing the quality of MR signals and improving diagnostic capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
magnetic resonance signals for an analysis by magnetic resonance spectroscopy
Implementation Method 2
correction processing of magnetic resonance signals for an eddy current correction
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes an acquiring part and an analysis part. The acquiring part is configured to acquire magnetic resonance signals for an analysis by magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The analysis part is configured to perform correction processing of magnetic resonance signals for an eddy current correction and obtain a frequency spectrum of the magnetic resonance signals for the analysis by the eddy current correction using magnetic resonance signals after the correction processing. The correction processing removes an influence of a magnetic resonance signal component from a predetermined metabolite.