MRI-Based Evaluation of Hydrogel Organ Model Accuracy

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods struggle to accurately evaluate the accuracy of three-dimensional objects imitating organisms due to limitations in measuring organ shapes and internal structures, particularly blood vessels, using CT scanners and other imaging technologies.

Innovation Solution

An evaluation method utilizing Magnetic Resonance Elastography (MRE) and medical image data to generate detailed 3D data of both organism and model shapes, allowing for precise comparison and assessment of model accuracy against the actual organism, including viscoelasticity measurements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If CT scanner is used to measure organ shapes, then measurement can be performed, but density resolution is low and cannot minutely measure shapes of blood vessels inside organ

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement precision of organ shapesVSAvoidloss of internal structure information

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary substance (contrast agent or magnetic resonance agent) that enhances the visibility and measurement precision of internal structures. This intermediary enables the imaging device to detect blood vessels and internal organs with high precision by improving the contrast and signal strength of the measured data, thereby resolving the limitation of low density resolution in conventional CT scanning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If three-dimensional objects are produced by 3D printers using hard materials, then objects can be produced, but they cannot reproduce organs perfectly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufacturing three-dimensional objectsVSAvoidprecision of reproducing organ shapes

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameters by using soft materials (such as silicone rubber or gelatin) instead of hard materials like acrylic resin. This parameter change enables the three-dimensional objects to more accurately reproduce the soft tissue characteristics and fine structures of organs, thereby improving manufacturing precision while maintaining ease of manufacture through established molding techniques.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If three-dimensional objects are produced by casting method using template, then objects can be produced, but it is difficult to evaluate accuracy with respect to actual organs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufacturing three-dimensional objectsVSAvoidprecision of evaluating model accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual visual comparison with an automated image processing system that uses computer algorithms to quantitatively compare the three-dimensional object data with the target organ data. This substitution of mechanical/visual evaluation with computational analysis enables precise measurement and evaluation of manufacturing accuracy, providing objective quantitative metrics for assessing how well the model reproduces the actual organ.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables precise evaluation of three-dimensional object accuracy by comparing detailed 3D data of models with organism data, accounting for both shape and physical properties, thereby improving the accuracy of surgical training and simulation tools.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic Resonance Elastography:

Data Source

PatentEP4020382B1Evaluation method

Publication Date: 2025.10.22 RICOH CO LTD

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6

AI summary

Provided is an evaluation method including evaluating accuracy of a model containing a hydrogel with respect to an organism based on organism shape information representing an organism shape obtained by capturing an image of the organism by MRI and model shape information representing a model shape obtained by capturing an image of the model by MRI.