Gradient Power Parameter Setting for MRI Nerve Stimulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current magnetic resonance systems face limitations in gradient power utilization due to potential nerve stimulation constraints, where existing methods fail to differentiate between different sequence parts, leading to unnecessary power wastage and inefficient gradient performance, especially with increasing gradient performance.

Innovation Solution

A method using an electronic computing device to determine gradient parameter settings by approximating potential nerve stimulation through a predefined mathematical model, allowing for dynamic adjustment of critical gradient sections and reducing gradient amplitude and rise time to prevent stimulation, enabling continuous checks during user input and optimizing gradient power usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a single reduced rise time is used for the entire sequence to prevent nerve stimulation, then nerve stimulation is avoided, but gradient power is wasted in sequence parts that do not trigger stimulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenerve stimulationVSAvoidgradient power

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The gradient sequence is divided into multiple individual gradient pulses, each evaluated separately for stimulation risk. This allows different rise times to be assigned to different gradient pulses based on their specific stimulation potential, rather than applying a single conservative rise time to the entire sequence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each gradient pulse is assigned a local quality parameter (rise time) based on its individual characteristics and stimulation risk. Gradient pulses with low stimulation risk can use shorter rise times (higher gradient power), while only those exceeding limit values have their rise times extended, optimizing the local properties of each pulse.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the framework check is conducted after measurement start is confirmed, then the check can be performed, but user time is wasted selecting inconsistent protocols and resolving conflicts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotocol consistencyVSAvoiduser time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The stimulation check is performed in advance during the sequence preparation phase, before the measurement actually starts. This preliminary evaluation identifies potential stimulation issues early, allowing users to adjust protocols before committing to a measurement, thus avoiding wasted time and ensuring protocol consistency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback to the user about potential nerve stimulation risks during protocol setup. This feedback mechanism allows users to modify their protocols based on the evaluation results before measurement begins, preventing inconsistent protocol selection and reducing the need for post-hoc adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If numeric calculations are conducted in small time increments to check stimulation, then accuracy is improved, but calculation time increases significantly for long intervals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestimulation check accuracyVSAvoidcalculation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of performing exhaustive numeric calculations across the entire time interval, the system applies a simplified mathematical model that provides sufficiently accurate stimulation estimates with much reduced computation. This partial approach focuses on the critical aspects of stimulation risk without the overhead of complete numeric integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The complex numeric calculation mechanism is replaced with a simplified mathematical model that uses analytical solutions or approximations. This substitution maintains adequate precision for stimulation assessment while dramatically reducing the computational burden and calculation time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20240201300A1Method for determining a parameter setting for a gradient power of a magnetic resonance system, computer program product, computer-readable storage medium and electronic computing device

Publication Date: 2024.06.20 SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS AG

AI summary

A method for determining a parameter setting for a gradient power of a magnetic resonance system by an electronic computing device. The method includes specifying a limit value for a nerve stimulation in the case of a person positioned in the magnetic resonance system, entering at least one gradient parameter for a pulse of the gradient power as the parameter setting by an input device of the electronic computing device, approximating a potential nerve stimulation as a function of the at least one gradient parameter by a predefined mathematical model of the electronic computing device, comparing the approximated potential nerve stimulation with the predefined limit value by the electronic computing device, and determining the parameter setting as a function of the comparison.