MRI Image Rotation for Unified Observation Direction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional MRI imaging technologies face challenges in visually recognizing changes between multiple images, especially when cross-sectional directions change, making it difficult for users to continuously observe and track regions of interest across varying image orientations.

Innovation Solution

The MRI apparatus employs a unified observational direction and specific tissue tracking mode, where the display images are aligned to a consistent orientation and the region of interest is fixed at a unified position on the screen, regardless of cross-sectional direction changes, using processing circuitry to reconstruct and generate display image data that maintains a consistent observational reference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If cross-sectional directions are changed to image from various directions, then imaging versatility is improved, but visual recognition of changes between images deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging versatilityVSAvoidvisual recognition

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a new dimension of display orientation by rotating images around the region of interest. Instead of changing the cross-sectional imaging direction, the system maintains various imaging angles but rotates the displayed images to a common observational direction, adding a rotational transformation layer that resolves the conflict between versatile imaging and consistent visualization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

Rather than changing the imaging cross-sectional direction to achieve versatile viewing, the patent inverts the approach by keeping the imaging direction fixed but rotating the displayed images to different orientations. This inversion allows multiple viewing angles while maintaining consistent spatial relationships for visual recognition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Adaptability or versatility

If cross-sectional direction changes between images, then imaging flexibility is improved, but tracking region of interest becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging flexibilityVSAvoidtracking accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary rotation of images to a common observational direction before display. By pre-rotating all images around the region of interest to align with a standard orientation, the system ensures that the region of interest maintains consistent positional relationships across all images, enabling accurate tracking

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediate rotational transformation step between image acquisition and display. This intermediary rotation operation acts as a mediator that preserves the original cross-sectional directions for imaging flexibility while transforming the display orientation for consistent region of interest tracking

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If images are displayed with different orientations, then multi-angle imaging capability is improved, but continuous observation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-angle imaging capabilityVSAvoiddiagnostic efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic rotation of images based on the region of interest position. The system automatically calculates and applies the appropriate rotation angle for each image to align with a common observational direction, creating a dynamic adaptation process that maintains consistent visualization across varying cross-sectional directions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 allows for easier visualization of changes and tracking of regions of interest across multiple images, improving user observation and diagnostic efficiency by maintaining a consistent display orientation and positioning of the region of interest.

Implementation Method 1

the RF coil receives MR signals from an object when RF signals and gradient magnetic fields are applied to the object

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic resonance:

Data Source

PatentUS10101426B2Generation and display of plural MR images having different cross-sectional directions with fixed common observation direction

Publication Date: 2018.10.16 TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYST CORP

AI summary

In one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes: a gantry including at least an RF (Radio Frequency) coil and a gradient coil, wherein the RF coil receives MR (Magnetic Resonance) signals from an object when an RF signal from the RF coil and a gradient magnetic field from the gradient coil are applied to the object in a main scan; processing circuitry configured to reconstruct image data of a plurality of images of the object based on the MR signals, and generate display image data from the reconstructed image data, wherein the display image data is generated such that display images are observed from a unified observational direction, regardless of a case where cross-sectional directions vary; and a display configured to display the display images observed from the unified observational direction based on the display image data.