Directional Microphone Array for MRI Noise Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic resonance examinations are hindered by high noise levels due to rapidly changing gradient fields, making communication between patients and medical personnel difficult, leading to potential misunderstandings and interruptions during scans.
Innovation Solution
A method using a microphone array with directional microphones to acquire and adjust communication signals based on position information, reducing interference and enhancing signal clarity by selecting the best microphone for signal strength and using beam-forming techniques to isolate sound sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a standard microphone is used to acquire communication signals during magnetic resonance examination, then the microphone can capture all ambient sounds, but the speech signal becomes difficult to distinguish from ambient noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making each microphone in the array directional with different orientation characteristics. Each microphone is optimized to capture sound from specific directions while rejecting noise from other directions, allowing the system to achieve high speech detection accuracy in noisy environments by selecting or combining signals from microphones with appropriate directional properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the microphone array adaptable - the system can dynamically adjust which microphones are active and their orientation based on the detected position of the person. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to optimize speech capture while minimizing noise interference in real-time during the examination
2Productivity
If the magnetic resonance scanner uses rapidly changing gradient fields for imaging, then imaging speed and quality are improved, but high noise levels are generated that interfere with communication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful noise environment into a benefit by using the directional microphone array to selectively capture speech signals that penetrate through the noise. The system acknowledges the noisy environment cannot be eliminated (gradient fields must continue for imaging) but transforms the situation by using signal processing and directional selection to extract useful communication signals from the noisy backdrop
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system - the directional microphone array with position-based selection - that mediates between the noisy scanner environment and the communication requirement. This intermediary filters and selects signals, allowing communication to occur despite the gradient field noise generated by the imaging process
3Measurement precision
If a microphone array with multiple microphones is used to improve speech detection, then speech signal quality improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the audio capture function across multiple microphones with different directional characteristics. Each microphone segment handles specific spatial zones, and the system selects or combines segments based on the person's position. This segmentation enables high speech signal quality while managing complexity through modular, position-based activation rather than processing all microphones simultaneously
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
This approach provides reliable and interference-free communication during magnetic resonance examinations, improving speech detection and transmission quality, reducing misunderstandings, and preventing unnecessary scan interruptions.
Implementation Method 1
acquiring communication signals of the person by means of the microphone array
Data Source
AI summary
A method and magnetic resonance apparatus for acquiring a communication signal of a person situated within a magnetic resonance examination room. The method includes acquiring an item of position information of the person using an acquirer, adjusting at least one microphone of a microphone array on the basis of the acquired position information, and acquiring communication signals of the person using the microphone array.