MRI Noise Cancellation via Compensation Factor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) systems face challenges in effectively canceling spurious RF noise without incurring significant hardware modifications or costs, which affects the accuracy of imaging data.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for noise cancellation in MRI systems that utilize a standard receive antenna to acquire noise RF data, calculate a compensation factor based on this data and MR data in k-space, and subtract the estimated noise ingredient from the MR data, allowing for accurate noise cancellation with minimal hardware modifications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a large RF cage is built around the MRI system to eliminate spurious RF signals, then noise cancellation effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing cost and hardware complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise cancellation effectivenessVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical RF cage structure with a software-based noise cancellation system that uses signal processing algorithms to identify and remove spurious RF signals from the MRI data, thereby eliminating the need for expensive physical shielding infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary noise cancellation module that processes the MRI signal between acquisition and reconstruction, using reference signals and adaptive filtering to subtract spurious RF components without requiring physical modification of the MRI system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a large RF cage is built around the MRI system to eliminate spurious RF signals, then noise cancellation effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise cancellation effectivenessVSAvoidhardware complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the complex mechanical RF cage structure with a computationally-based noise cancellation system that operates in the signal domain, reducing hardware complexity while maintaining noise cancellation effectiveness through algorithmic signal processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If external radiowave detection coils are carefully placed relative to the signal detection coil, then noise cancellation accuracy is improved, but device complexity and setup difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise cancellation accuracyVSAvoidsetup difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the MRI system to automatically identify and characterize spurious RF signals using the existing receive coil data, with the noise cancellation algorithm adapting to the specific noise environment without requiring manual placement of external coils or complex setup procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the existing receive coil serve dual functions: acquiring both the MRI signal and the spurious RF noise, thereby eliminating the need for separate external detection coils and simplifying the system architecture while maintaining noise cancellation capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 enables cost-effective and accurate noise cancellation in MRI systems by leveraging existing hardware, improving the accuracy of imaging data without requiring substantial changes to the MRI hardware infrastructure.

Implementation Method 1

RF signals emitted by the nuclear spins are detected by a receiver coil

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation detection: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

Radio Frequency (RF) pulses generated by a transmitter coil cause perturbations to the local magnetic field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation generation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

A large static magnetic field is used by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanners to align the nuclear spins of atoms

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field alignment: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS10514431B2Method and apparatus for magnetic resonance imaging with RF noise

Publication Date: 2019.12.24 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

AI summary

Embodiment of the present invention provides a method for cancelling environment noise of a magnetic resonance image (MRI) system that includes a receive antenna. The method comprises acquiring magnetic resonance (MR) data including a noise RF ingredient via the receive antenna, acquiring noise RF data indicative of the environment noise of the MRI system, calculating a compensation factor based on the noise RF data and a part of the MR data limited to a peripheral portion of k-space storing the MR data, estimating the noise RF ingredient of the MR data as a multiplication of the noise RF data and the calculated compensation factor, and generating corrected MR data by subtracting the estimated noise RF ingredient from the MR data.