MRI G Factor Adjustment for SNR and Artifact Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) techniques using parallel imaging often result in low Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) due to high g factor values, which are not effectively addressed by existing methods like Superresolution Sensitivity Encoding (SURE-SENSE), as they either introduce excessive noise or artifacts.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus and method that adjust the g factor by modifying the regularization parameter in the MRI data processing, specifically by reducing differences between g factor values in different regions of the image, using a threshold-based approach to optimize SNR without excessive noise or artifacts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If parallel imaging is used to reduce artifacts, then artifact reduction is achieved, but Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) becomes low due to large g factor values

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveartifactsVSAvoidSignal-to-Noise Ratio
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adjusts the regularization parameter in the image reconstruction process to control the g factor values. By optimizing this parameter, the system achieves a balance between artifact reduction and SNR maintenance, directly addressing the contradiction between these two competing requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-generated harmful factors

If regularization parameter is reduced to decrease noise, then noise content increases, but this worsens image quality

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovenoiseVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system optimizes the regularization parameter to achieve the optimal balance between noise suppression and image quality. By carefully selecting this parameter, the patent prevents excessive noise while maintaining high image quality, resolving the contradiction between these two factors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If g factor values are reduced to improve SNR, then image quality improves, but this may compromise artifact reduction performance

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSignal-to-Noise RatioVSAvoidartifacts
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adjusts the regularization parameter to control g factor values within an optimal range. This parameter optimization simultaneously achieves both SNR improvement and artifact reduction, resolving the contradiction by finding the optimal operating point that satisfies both requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3988958B1Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and information processing program
Publication Date: 2024.12.25 CANON MEDICAL SYST CORP
  • EP3988958B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3988958B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3988958B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An information processing apparatus (1) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an obtaining unit (151) and an adjusting unit (153). The obtaining unit (151) is configured to obtain a first g factor generated by using first magnetic resonance data acquired through a first parallel imaging process performed by using reception coils (117) and a second g factor generated by using second magnetic resonance data related to a second parallel imaging process performed by using the reception coils (117). The second parallel imaging process is different from the first parallel imaging process. The adjusting unit (153) is configured to adjust the first g factor so as to reduce a difference between the first g factor and the second g factor.