MRI Imaging Layer Correction for Distorted Gradient Fields

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing imaging methods, such as MRI, suffer from geometric distortions due to non-linear gradient fields, especially at regions away from the magnetic center, leading to incorrect layer positioning and tilting, which complicates interventions like ablation procedures.

Innovation Solution

A method that corrects geometric distortions by determining corrected target and reference points using a measuring device, ensuring the examination device acquires the desired imaging layer accurately, even in regions with significant distortions, by employing a computer program to adjust coordinates before image acquisition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If imaging is performed away from the magnetic center to reduce distance between physician and target structure, then accessibility and intervention capability are improved, but geometric distortions increase causing incorrect layer localization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility for interventionVSAvoidgeometric image representation fidelity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by calculating and storing correction values for gradient field deviations before the actual imaging examination. The system pre-determines the actual layer positions that result from distorted gradient fields and stores these correction values in a lookup table, enabling rapid compensation during the imaging process without requiring real-time complex calculations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary correction mechanism by inserting a lookup table between the gradient field distortion and the image reconstruction process. This lookup table stores pre-calculated correction values that map desired layer positions to actual layer positions, acting as a mediator that compensates for gradient field distortions without requiring complex real-time calculations during imaging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If 2-D sequences with individual layers are used for fast imaging during intervention, then imaging speed is improved, but layer positioning accuracy deteriorates due to neglected out-of-plane deviations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging speedVSAvoidlayer position accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing correction values for gradient field deviations before the actual imaging examination. The system pre-determines the actual layer positions that result from distorted gradient fields and stores these correction values in a lookup table, enabling rapid compensation during the imaging process without requiring real-time complex calculations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If image reconstruction assumes idealized linear image encoding gradients, then reconstruction complexity is reduced, but geometric distortions occur due to non-linear gradient fields away from center

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage reconstruction complexityVSAvoidgeometric image representation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing correction values for gradient field deviations before the actual imaging examination. The system pre-determines the actual layer positions that result from distorted gradient fields and stores these correction values in a lookup table, enabling rapid compensation during the imaging process without requiring real-time complex calculations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary correction mechanism by inserting a lookup table between the gradient field distortion and the image reconstruction process. This lookup table stores pre-calculated correction values that map desired layer positions to actual layer positions, acting as a mediator that compensates for gradient field distortions without requiring complex real-time calculations during imaging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12631708B2Method for operating an imaging examination device while taking into consideration a distorted gradient field

Publication Date: 2026.05.19 OTTO VON GUERICKE UNIV MAGDEBURG

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for operating an imaging examination device (1), wherein signals are received from an object (5) to be examined and are identified and displayed in layers in the form of sectional images and/or three-dimensional images of the object (5), having the following steps: ⋅a) ascertaining a desired imaging layer (4) of the object (5) to be examined, ⋅b) determining the coordinates of a desired target point (6) in the desired imaging layer (4), ⋅c) determining the coordinates of a corrected target point (6′) while taking into consideration a distorted gradient field of the examination device (1) such that the examination device detects an imaging layer on which the desired target point (6) lies on the basis of the distorted gradient field while using the corrected target point (6′) instead of the desired target point (6), and ⋅d) detecting an imaging layer (4) by means of the examination device (1) using the corrected target point (6′) and visualizing an image obtained therefrom.