Respiratory-Guided MRI Interleaved Acquisition Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current respiratory-guided magnetic resonance imaging systems face challenges in reducing the total elapsed time for acquiring 4D respiratory phase-guided magnetic resonance imaging scans due to poor triggering at preselected respiratory levels, which can be affected by changes in breathing patterns.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced that generates an interleaved acquisition scheme for MRI, allowing image acquisition across multiple breathing cycles with adaptive parameters such as respiration states, radio frequency pulse sequence idle times, and chronological order of slices, using a respiration monitoring device to adjust and optimize the acquisition process in real-time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If an interleaved acquisition scheme is used to reduce total acquisition time, then productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to poor triggering at preselected respiratory levels when breathing patterns change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adaptation of the acquisition scheme by continuously monitoring respiratory signals and adjusting the triggering parameters in real-time. The system transitions from static preselected respiratory levels to dynamic threshold adjustment based on actual breathing patterns, allowing the acquisition scheme to adapt to changing respiratory conditions while maintaining productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms by monitoring respiratory signals during the acquisition process and using this information to adjust triggering parameters. The respiratory monitoring device provides continuous feedback on breathing patterns, enabling the system to correct triggering inaccuracies and maintain reliable image acquisition at appropriate respiratory phases
2Measurement precision
If T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging is used to improve tumor-tissue contrast, then measurement precision is improved, but duration of action increases due to long pulse sequence repetition times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the acquisition of different slices across multiple respiratory phases into an interleaved pattern. Instead of acquiring all slices at one respiratory phase before moving to the next, the system distributes slice acquisition across multiple phases and respiratory cycles, allowing T2-weighted sequences with long TR to be completed while maintaining 4D respiratory guidance
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic respiratory cycles to structure the acquisition timing. By synchronizing the periodic T2-weighted pulse sequences with the periodic nature of respiratory cycles and using interleaved slice acquisition across multiple phases, the system maintains both the long TR required for T2-weighting and the temporal resolution needed for 4D imaging
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating a respiratory-guided magnetic resonance imaging system (10) with regard to triggering of magnetic resonance image acquisition, the magnetic resonance imaging system (10) being connectable to a respiration monitoring device (46) which is configured to provide an output signal (48) whose level represents a respiration state of the subject of interest (20), the method comprising a step (56) of generating an interleaved acquisition scheme for acquiring magnetic resonance images, a step (60) of adapting, in case of an occurrence of an irregularity in the breathing of the subject of interest (20) in the output signal (48) obtained by the respiration monitoring device (46) in the course of executing magnetic resonance image acquisition, at least one parameter of the interleaved acquisition scheme, wherein the at least one adapted parameter is at least one of a next respiration state of the subject of interest (20) to trigger on for acquiring at least one magnetic resonance image, a radio frequency pulse sequence-inherent idle time, and the chronological order of at least one slice of the plurality of slices to be imaged of at least the portion of the subject of interest (20), a step (62) of halting execution of magnetic resonance image acquisition, and a step (64) of resuming execution of magnetic resonance image acquisition pursuant to the interleaved acquisition scheme using the adapted parameter; a respiratory-guided magnetic resonance imaging system (10) having a control unit (26) that is configured to carry out steps (56-64) of an embodiment of the disclosed method; and a software module (44) for carrying out an embodiment of the disclosed method, wherein the method steps (56-64) to be conducted are converted into a program code that is implementable in a memory unit (30) and is executable by a processor unit (32) of the respiratory-guided magnetic resonance imaging system (10).