MRI Motion Re-Measurement Control Using K-Space Continuity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing MRI techniques prolong imaging time by repeatedly re-measuring body movement-affected data, even when re-measurement is unnecessary, due to inadequate determination criteria based on body movement magnitude and k-space position.

Innovation Solution

An MRI apparatus with a body movement processing unit that analyzes body movement-affected data in k-space, determining re-measurement necessity based on position and continuity, optimizing processing to minimize re-measurement frequency and time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If body movement-affected data is excluded or re-measured based on body movement magnitude and k-space position, then image quality is maintained, but imaging time is prolonged due to repeated re-measurements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidimaging time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the determination parameters from only body movement magnitude and k-space position to include the continuity characteristic of body movement-affected data. By analyzing whether affected data points are continuous or isolated in the time series, the system can more accurately determine whether re-measurement is necessary, thereby reducing unnecessary re-measurements and shortening imaging time while maintaining image quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a feedback mechanism where the characteristics of body movement-affected data (continuity, distribution pattern) are analyzed to dynamically adjust the re-measurement decision. The system uses the detected patterns of affected data to determine subsequent processing actions, creating a closed-loop control that optimizes the balance between image quality and imaging time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If determination to re-take body movement-affected data is made based on body movement magnitude and k-space position, then body movement effects are corrected, but re-measurement is performed repeatedly even when unnecessary

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebody movement correction accuracyVSAvoidimaging efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention adds the continuity characteristic as a new determination parameter. By analyzing whether body movement-affected data points are continuous or isolated, the system can more accurately judge whether re-measurement is truly necessary, reducing unnecessary re-measurements and improving imaging efficiency while maintaining correction accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies partial action by selectively performing re-measurement only when the continuity characteristic indicates it is necessary, rather than uniformly re-measuring all body movement-affected data. This selective approach improves efficiency by avoiding excessive re-measurements while still ensuring correction accuracy when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Measurement precision

If determination of re-measurement necessity is made after collecting measurement data of certain proportion, then processing decision is delayed, but re-measurement is performed on data where it is not necessary

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetermination accuracyVSAvoiddata collection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention performs preliminary analysis of the continuity characteristic of body movement-affected data during the data collection process itself, rather than waiting until a certain proportion of data is collected. By continuously monitoring the characteristics of affected data points, the system can make earlier determination about whether re-measurement is necessary, reducing both the delay and unnecessary re-measurements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Reduces imaging time while maintaining image quality by minimizing unnecessary re-measurements through precise determination criteria for body movement-affected data in k-space.

Implementation Method 1

the subject is placed in an imaging space in which a static magnetic field is generated, and imaging is performed by repeatedly applying a radio-frequency magnetic field pulse and a gradient magnetic field pulse

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNuclear magnetic resonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 2

imaging is performed by repeatedly applying a radio-frequency magnetic field pulse and a gradient magnetic field pulse

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadio-frequency magnetic field: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4700421A1Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and method of controlling the same
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 FUJIFILM CORP
  • EP4700421A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4700421A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4700421A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention aims to, in a case where measurement data affected by a body movement that occurred during an examination is re-measured, reduce a time extension caused by the re-measurement. Whether or not re-measurement is necessary is determined in consideration of continuity of measurement data affected by a body movement. In addition, in a case of performing the re-measurement, measurement of a part of unmeasured measurement data is omitted in consideration of a measurement time (number of phase encoding steps) of the measurement data to be re-measured.