Magnetic Resonance Fingerprinting Database Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current magnetic resonance imaging techniques face challenges in efficiently characterizing tissue types due to limitations in data collection and analysis, particularly in accurately determining physical properties of tissues using magnetic resonance fingerprinting measurements.
Innovation Solution
A method employing a central computer database to support tissue characterization by magnetic resonance fingerprinting, where a magnetic resonance fingerprinting sequence is used to acquire signal data, and a pattern recognition algorithm matches the data to a predefined dictionary to determine physical properties, with options for creating new dictionaries and applying machine learning for correlation analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If magnetic resonance fingerprinting measurements are used to characterize tissue, then tissue differentiation capability is improved, but data collection and analysis complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-computing and storing signal evolution patterns (fingerprints) for various tissue types and parameter combinations in a database before actual measurements. This allows the measurement system to simply compare acquired data against pre-prepared patterns, significantly simplifying the analysis complexity while maintaining high tissue differentiation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating simulated signal evolution patterns (fingerprints) that represent expected measurements for different tissue types and parameters. These simulated patterns are stored in a database and copied during analysis to match against actual measurements, enabling complex tissue characterization without requiring complex real-time computation.
2Reliability
If multiple acquisition parameters are varied in pseudorandom manner to achieve temporal and spatial incoherence, then unique signal evolutions are generated for different tissues, but sequence design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the acquisition parameters (flip angle, echo time, repetition time) variable and dynamically changing in a pseudorandom manner during the measurement sequence. This dynamic variation ensures that each tissue type produces a unique signal evolution pattern (fingerprint), improving reliability of tissue differentiation while the systematic pseudorandom approach keeps sequence design manageable.
3Measurement precision
If a comprehensive dictionary is constructed with all foreseeable combinations of materials and parameters, then accurate tissue characterization is achieved, but database size and storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by organizing the comprehensive dictionary database in a structured manner where different regions or sections of the database store patterns for specific tissue types or parameter ranges. This allows the system to access and compare only relevant local patterns during analysis, improving characterization accuracy while optimizing storage efficiency through localized pattern storage rather than uniform comprehensive storage.
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 efficient collection, storage, and analysis of medical data sets from various sources, improving tissue differentiation with high spatial resolution and reliability, and providing insights into the effectiveness of different magnetic resonance fingerprinting sequences for accurate property determination.
Implementation Method 1
arranging at least a portion of a subject of interest in an examination space of a magnetic resonance imaging system in which a static magnetic field B0 is being generated
Implementation Method 2
exciting nuclei of or within at least the portion of the subject of interest by applying a radio frequency excitation field B1 generated according to a magnetic resonance fingerprinting sequence, and acquiring magnetic resonance imaging signal data from radiation emitted by the excited nuclei
Data Source
AI summary
A method of employing a central computer database (18) for supporting a characterization of tissue by magnetic resonance fingerprinting measurements, includes: exciting nuclei of a subject of interest by applying (50) a radio frequency excitation field B1 generated according to a magnetic resonance fingerprinting sequence (38), acquiring (52) magnetic resonance imaging signal data from radiation emitted by excited nuclei of the subject of interest, transferring (54) a magnetic resonance fingerprinting data set (42) to the central computer database (18), retrieving (56) a predefined dictionary from the central computer database (18), matching (60) the acquired magnetic resonance imaging signal data to the retrieved dictionary by applying a pattern recognition algorithm to determine a value (40) or a set of values (40) for at least one physical quantity (T1, T2), adding (62) at least the determined value (40) or the determined set of values (40) as a new entry of an associated medical data set (36) to the central computer database (18), and making (64) the new entry of an associated medical data set (36) accessible to users of the central computer database (18). A magnetic resonance fingerprinting data collection and analysis system (10) includes a central computer database, a data receiving unit (20), a data output unit (22) and a data analysis device (26) configured to carry out the method.