Magnetic Resonance Tomography Latency Determination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Magnetic resonance tomography systems with local coil arrangements face variable communication latency issues due to wireless data transmission, affecting transmission quality and requiring precise latency determination to ensure reliable data transfer.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for determining communication latency by transmitting a high-frequency pulse, receiving it with a local coil arrangement, and correlating the time difference to assess latency, which includes detuning the oscillating circuit to handle high-field strength pulses and using separate signal paths for processing signals with varying strengths, allowing for wireless transmission without obtrusive cables.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If wireless data transmission is used in local coil arrangements, then ease of operation and flexibility are improved, but communication latency becomes variable and transmission reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidtransmission reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system measures communication latency by transmitting test signals through the wireless connection and comparing transmission times. This feedback mechanism allows the system to characterize and compensate for latency variations, thereby maintaining transmission reliability while using wireless communication for flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system characterizes latency as a variable parameter rather than treating it as a constant error. By measuring and adapting to latency variations dynamically, the system maintains reliable transmission despite the variable conditions introduced by wireless communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If high-frequency pulses with high field strength are transmitted for latency measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but the receiving system may be overridden and damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelatency measurement precisionVSAvoidreceiving system overload

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving system is divided into separate signal paths: one optimized for receiving weak measurement signals and another for handling strong transmission pulses. This segmentation allows the system to measure latency with high-frequency pulses without the receiving components being overwhelmed by the pulse strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Before transmitting high-frequency measurement pulses, the oscillating circuit is detuned to prevent resonance that would amplify the pulse strength and damage the receiving system. This preliminary detuning action protects the system while still allowing accurate latency measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If all components of transmit and receive paths are included in the measuring chain for accurate latency determination, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelatency determination accuracyVSAvoidmeasuring chain complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Existing system components (transmitters, receivers, signal paths) are utilized for both their primary functions and for latency measurement. This multi-functionality allows accurate latency determination across all system components without adding dedicated measurement hardware, thereby avoiding increased device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Manufacturing precision

If individual-component scattering of partial latencies is considered, then manufacturing precision requirements are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent tolerance controlVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system characterizes latency variations from individual component scattering as acceptable parameter variations rather than errors to be eliminated. By tolerating and adapting to these variations through measurement and compensation, the system relaxes manufacturing precision requirements and reduces manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9903926B2Determination of communication latency in magnetic resonance tomography systems

Publication Date: 2018.02.27 SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS AG

AI summary

A method for determining communication latency in a magnetic resonance tomography system includes emitting a high-frequency pulse at a first timepoint, receiving the high-frequency pulse by a local coil arrangement of the magnetic resonance tomography system, and transmitting a return signal from the local coil arrangement to a receiving unit. The method also includes receiving the return signal by the receiving unit at a second timepoint, and evaluating a time difference between the first timepoint and the second timepoint in order to determine the communication latency.