MRI Neural Network Hallucination Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Neural networks used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can introduce artificial structures or 'hallucinations' into images, which can confuse physicians and lead to misdiagnosis.

Innovation Solution

A medical system that includes an image processing module with a neural network portion and an artificial structure prediction portion. The module receives MRI data, corrects it, and outputs both the corrected image and data on the likelihood of artificial structures, allowing for improved detection and prevention of hallucinations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If neural networks are used to reconstruct or correct magnetic resonance images, then processing speed and ability to perform complex image tasks are improved, but artificial structures or hallucinations are introduced into the images

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage processing speedVSAvoidimage accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the neural network's output is evaluated by comparing it against the original input image and ground truth data. The loss function incorporates both reconstruction accuracy and hallucination detection, allowing the network to learn from errors and continuously improve its output reliability while maintaining processing speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary evaluation module that acts as a mediator between the neural network output and the final image. This module includes a hallucination detector that identifies artificial structures and a loss function that penalizes hallucinations, effectively filtering out unreliable generated content while preserving the speed benefits of neural network processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If the neural network is trained to correct images, then image quality is improved, but the network may add structures that are not real

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage correction qualityVSAvoidhallucinations
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of hallucinations into a beneficial training signal. By incorporating a hallucination detection mechanism into the loss function, the network learns to recognize and avoid generating artificial structures. The hallucination detector's ability to identify false structures is transformed into a teaching tool that guides the network to produce more accurate corrections without introducing spurious features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite training framework that combines multiple loss components: reconstruction loss for image quality, hallucination detection loss for reliability, and consistency loss for maintaining fidelity to the original image. This composite approach integrates multiple objectives into a unified training process, enabling the network to achieve both high correction quality and low hallucination rates simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Measurement precision

If multiple sets of coil sensitivity maps are used for reconstruction, then image accuracy is improved, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereconstruction accuracyVSAvoidreconstruction process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by selectively using multiple coil sensitivity maps only when necessary for improving reconstruction accuracy in specific regions or conditions. The system can adaptively determine the appropriate level of complexity required, using full multi-map reconstruction only when the benefit outweighs the computational cost, thereby balancing accuracy improvement with processing complexity management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS20250173868A1Detection of Artificial Structures in Magnetic Resonance Images due to Neural Networks
Publication Date: 2025.05.29 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • US20250173868A1 patent drawing
  • US20250173868A1 patent drawing
  • US20250173868A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a medical system (100, 500) comprising a memory (110) storing machine executable instructions (120) and an image processing module (122), wherein the image processing module comprises an image processing neural network portion (306) and an artificial structure prediction portion (308), wherein the image processing module comprises an input (300) configured for receiving magnetic resonance data (124). The image processing neural network portion comprises a first output (302) configured for outputting a corrected magnetic resonance image (126) in response to receiving the magnetic resonance data at the input. The artificial structure prediction portion comprises a second output (304) configured to output artificial structure data (128) descriptive of a likelihood of artificial structures in the corrected magnetic resonance image. The medical system further comprises a computational system (104) Execution of the machine executable instructions causes the computational system to: receive (200) the magnetic resonance data; receive (202) the corrected magnetic resonance image at the first output and the artificial structure data at the second output in response to inputting the magnetic resonance data into the input of the image processing module; and provide (204) a warning signal (130) depending on the artificial structure data meeting a predetermined criterion.