MRI Fat Suppression Test Scan Protocol
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques face challenges in achieving sufficient fat suppression, particularly in areas with high fat content like the breast, requiring re-imaging and involving cumbersome test scans to assess and improve fat suppression effects.
Innovation Solution
The MRI apparatus incorporates a processing circuitry that allows for the selection and execution of a protocol set with an optional test scan to check fat suppression, generating a test scan protocol by adjusting parameters like the number of phase encodings and repetition time to ensure effective fat suppression, and performs shimming and center frequency adjustments as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fat suppression techniques (STIR, CHESS, SPIR, PASTA) are used, then fat signals are suppressed, but imaging time increases and operator intervention is required due to insufficient suppression in high-fat areas
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a test scan before the actual imaging to preliminarily assess fat suppression effectiveness. Based on the test scan results, the system automatically adjusts imaging parameters (TR, TE, flip angle, saturation pulse parameters) to optimize fat suppression before the main imaging sequence, avoiding the need for time-consuming re-imaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically evaluates fat suppression effectiveness from test scan images and self-adjusts imaging parameters without requiring operator intervention. The processing circuitry autonomously determines optimal parameters based on the test scan results and executes the adjusted imaging sequence, enabling the system to serve itself in optimizing fat suppression.
2Reliability
If test scans are performed to assess fat suppression, then fat suppression effectiveness is improved, but the complexity of the imaging process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the test scan and main imaging sequences into a unified automated workflow. The test scan is automatically performed, evaluated, and used to adjust parameters for the subsequent main imaging sequence, all controlled by the processing circuitry without requiring separate manual interventions, thereby reducing overall process complexity despite adding the test scan step.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the test scan results are automatically evaluated by the processing circuitry, which then uses this feedback to adjust imaging parameters for the main sequence. This closed-loop feedback system automates the optimization process, reducing the perceived complexity by eliminating manual assessment and adjustment steps.
3Manufacturing precision
If re-imaging is performed to achieve sufficient fat suppression, then imaging quality is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary optimization through automated parameter adjustment based on test scan results before the main imaging sequence. By pre-adjusting TR, TE, flip angle, and saturation pulse parameters according to the specific anatomical region and fat distribution observed in the test scan, the system ensures optimal fat suppression in the first main imaging sequence, eliminating the need for re-imaging and maintaining high productivity.
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 the MRI apparatus to perform imaging with appropriate fat suppression by simplifying the process of assessing and improving fat suppression, reducing the need for re-imaging and operator intervention, and ensuring accurate and efficient imaging results.
Implementation Method 1
nuclear spins of a subject that is placed in a static magnetic field are magnetically excited
Implementation Method 2
nuclear spins of a subject that is placed in a static magnetic field are magnetically excited by radio frequency (RF) pulses at Larmor frequency thereof
Implementation Method 3
a gradient magnetic field generating unit that generates a gradient magnetic field for subject positioning
Data Source
AI summary
A magnetic-resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry registers a predetermined protocol set that is selected from among multiple protocol sets preset in a storage unit as a protocol set that is to be executed in an examination of a subject. The processing circuitry accepts an instruction indicating whether to include a check protocol to check an influence of fat suppression in the examination. When the instruction is accepted, the processing circuitry incorporates the check protocol in the protocol set to be executed.