MRI K-Space Data Relocation for Artifact Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) techniques in magnetic resonance imaging are limited by long data acquisition times and artifacts due to increased inversion time, which hampers clinical efficiency and image quality.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic resonance imaging device and method that relocates gradient echo data acquired during inversion time and spin echo data acquired after inversion time in the k-space, combining them to generate a final image with reduced energy level differences and artifacts, thereby improving data acquisition efficiency and image resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If inversion time is increased to suppress cerebrospinal fluid signals in FLAIR imaging, then fluid signal suppression is improved, but data acquisition time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the k-space data into two segments: gradient echo data acquired during inversion time and spin echo data acquired after inversion time. By segmenting the data acquisition and processing them differently (relocating gradient echo data to peripheral regions and spin echo data to central regions), the method enables fluid signal suppression while reducing total acquisition time through parallel and sequential data collection strategies.
2Productivity
If additional data is acquired during inversion time, then data acquisition efficiency is improved, but energy level differences and artifacts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by relocating gradient echo data to peripheral regions of k-space and spin echo data to central regions, assigning different spatial locations in k-space to different data types based on their characteristics. This local differentiation optimizes the contribution of each data type to the final image, reducing artifacts caused by energy level differences while maintaining high acquisition efficiency.
3Speed
If gradient echo data is acquired during inversion time, then imaging speed is improved, but image resolution may deteriorate due to artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a spatial dimension in k-space by relocating gradient echo data to peripheral regions and spin echo data to central regions, effectively using the k-space spatial distribution as an additional dimension for optimization. This dimensional separation allows fast gradient echo acquisition during inversion time while maintaining image resolution through proper spatial positioning in k-space, preventing artifact formation.
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
The approach enables faster generation of high-resolution images with suppressed in vivo fluid signals, enhancing diagnostic accuracy and reducing artifacts, allowing for precise disease diagnosis and risk prediction within the same imaging time as conventional FLAIR images.
Implementation Method 1
an inversion pulse of 180 degrees is applied prior to an excitation pulse. Immediately after the inversion pulse of 180 degrees is applied, net magnetization of a biological tissue is completely inverted to a minus (−) direction of the longitudinal axis.
Implementation Method 2
Afterwards, T1 relaxation occurs according to characteristics of each tissue and magnetization in a plus (+) direction of the longitudinal axis starts to appear.
Implementation Method 3
magnetic resonance imaging device and method for generating image using same
Data Source
AI summary
The magnetic resonance imaging device in accordance with the example embodiments, the magnetic resonance imaging device has an advantage that it is capable of generating an image quickly having a high resolution while minimizing generation of artifacts by comprising a data processing unit configured to relocate, in a K-space, gradient echo data acquired during inversion time by an inversion pulse and spin echo data acquired after the lapse of the inversion time; and an image generating unit configured to generate a final image from the spin echo data and the gradient echo data, in order to generate a magnetic resonance image quickly using long inversion time by the inversion pulse.