MRI Intensity Correction Using Anatomical Region Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Certain anatomical structures in magnetic resonance images become excessively bright, causing other portions to appear too dark and obscuring important details, making it difficult for radiologists to interpret the images effectively.

Innovation Solution

A segmentation algorithm is used to identify anatomical regions, and a predetermined criterion selects specific regions for intensity reduction, applying a spatially varying weighting factor to maintain visibility while correcting intensity uniformity, thereby producing easier-to-interpret MRI data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If contrast agent is administered to enhance certain anatomical structures, then the visibility of those structures is improved, but the intensity of other portions becomes too dark and important details are obscured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrightness of anatomical structuresVSAvoidobscuring of image details

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using a spatially varying weighting factor that selectively reduces intensity in specific regions (where the contrast agent has caused excessive brightness) while preserving intensity in other regions. This localized intensity adjustment resolves the contradiction by allowing bright structures to remain enhanced where needed while preventing information loss in darker regions through targeted rather than global intensity modification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the intensity parameter locally across different regions of the image using a spatially varying weighting factor. By adjusting the intensity parameter differently in different spatial locations, the system maintains enhanced visibility of contrast-enhanced structures while preventing other regions from becoming too dark, thus resolving the information loss problem.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If uniformity correction is applied to the initial magnetic resonance image, then the overall intensity uniformity is improved, but the natural appearance and contrast of specific anatomical structures may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintensity uniformityVSAvoidcontrast preservation

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by applying local quality through a spatially varying weighting factor that allows different regions to have different intensity characteristics. Regions requiring uniformity correction receive appropriate adjustment while regions requiring natural appearance and contrast preservation maintain their original characteristics, thus achieving both uniformity and contrast preservation simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the image into different regions with different intensity correction requirements. By segmenting the image and applying different weighting factors to different segments, the system achieves uniformity correction in some areas while preserving natural appearance and contrast in other areas, resolving the contradiction between uniformity and contrast preservation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If a segmentation algorithm is used to identify anatomical regions, then the precision of region selection is improved, but the complexity of the processing system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveregion identification accuracyVSAvoidprocessing system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by using a segmentation algorithm to identify and separate different anatomical regions in the MRI image. This allows precise identification of regions that require intensity correction versus regions that should preserve their natural appearance, directly resolving the contradiction by enabling accurate region selection despite the increased processing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12499516B2Image intensity correction in magnetic resonance imaging

Publication Date: 2025.12.16 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a medical system (100, 300) comprising a memory (110) storing machine executable instructions (120) and an image segmentation algorithm (122). The image segmentation algorithm is configured for outputting one or more predetermined anatomical regions within initial magnetic resonance imaging data (124) descriptive of a predetermined field of view (109) of a subject (318). The medical system further comprises a computational system (104), wherein execution of the machine executable instructions causes the computational system to: receive (200) the initial magnetic resonance imaging data (124); receive (202) the image segmentation comprising the one or more anatomical regions within the magnetic resonance imaging data in response to inputting the initial magnetic resonance imaging data into the image segmentation algorithm; select (204) at least one of the one or more anatomical regions as a selected image portion (128) using a predetermined criterion; and reduce (206) image intensity within the selected image portion to provide intensity corrected magnetic resonance imaging data.