MRI Local Coil Movement Correction via Magnetic Field Modulation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Patient movement during imaging examinations significantly impairs image quality, leading to repeated tests and increased examination time, with existing methods often requiring complex technology and high computational resources.
Innovation Solution
An imaging apparatus equipped with non-imaging sensors and a correction unit that detects patient movement using various sensors such as gyro, acceleration, or Hall sensors, and applies correction methods to reduce the influence of movement on image data acquisition, including motion gating and image reconstruction techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sequence-inherent navigator measurements or external sensors are used to detect patient movement, then movement detection capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary medium to transmit movement information from the patient's body to the imaging apparatus. Magnets placed on the patient's body modulate the magnetic field in response to movement, and this modulated field is detected by the imaging apparatus, providing movement detection capability without requiring complex external sensors or navigation systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical or optical sensing systems (such as external cameras or complex sensor arrays) with a magnetic field-based detection system. This substitution simplifies the overall system architecture by using the existing magnetic field environment of the MRI scanner to carry movement information, rather than adding separate mechanical or optical detection subsystems.
2Manufacturing precision
If complex correction methods or multiple averaging operations are applied to reduce movement influence, then image quality is improved, but examination duration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs movement detection and correction actions during the image acquisition process itself, rather than requiring separate pre-scan setup or post-processing steps. The magnetic field modulation occurs continuously during imaging, and correction can be applied in real-time or with minimal additional processing, avoiding extended examination time.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic field-based movement detection operates continuously throughout the imaging examination without interrupting the image acquisition process. This allows simultaneous image data collection and movement monitoring, eliminating the need for separate navigator scans or repeated examinations that would extend total procedure time.
3Reliability
If motion gating or repeated imaging examinations are used to account for patient movement, then diagnostic reliability is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where movement information detected via magnetic field modulation is used to adjust or correct the imaging process in real-time. This feedback loop allows the system to compensate for patient movement during the examination, maintaining diagnostic reliability without requiring repeated scans or motion gating that would reduce productivity.
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 solution provides a cost-effective and computationally efficient method to minimize the impact of patient movement on image quality, enabling high-quality image acquisition with reduced examination time and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
various sensors such as gyro, acceleration, or Hall sensors
Implementation Method 2
various sensors such as gyro, acceleration, or Hall sensors
Implementation Method 3
various sensors such as gyro, acceleration, or Hall sensors
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to an imaging apparatus for acquiring image data from a diagnostically-relevant body region of a patient comprising a sensor and a correction unit, wherein the at least one sensor is embodied to output a signal containing information on movement of the diagnostically relevant body region of the patient and the correction unit is embodied to receive the signal from the at least one sensor, and to apply a correction method in dependence on the signal to reduce the influence of the movement of the diagnostically relevant body region of the patient on an imaging examination. The disclosure further relates to a local coil for acquiring magnetic resonance signals in a frequency and power range of a magnetic resonance measurement, and a method for correcting patient movement.