MRI Phantom Thermal Stabilization Using Ice Water
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) phantoms lack the ability to maintain a constant temperature, which introduces thermal variability in MRI data, making it difficult to compare images across different MRI devices and time intervals, and affects the accuracy of diffusion measurements.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) phantom with an outer container and sample holder that maintains a constant temperature, allowing for thermal equilibrium and reducing thermal effects on fluid diffusion measurements, by using a fluid-permeable partition and thermally controlled fluid, such as ice water, to stabilize the internal volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If current MRI phantoms are used without temperature control, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to thermal variability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter by introducing a temperature-controlled environment with ice water reservoirs and insulated walls, maintaining constant temperature (e.g., 0°C) to eliminate thermal variability in diffusion measurements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses ice water as an intermediary thermal medium and insulated walls as a mediator to isolate the sample from external temperature fluctuations, creating a stable thermal environment without requiring complex active cooling systems
2Reliability
If MRI phantoms are used without thermal equilibrium, then the ease of operation is high, but the reliability deteriorates due to thermal effects on diffusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary thermal equilibrium preparation by pre-cooling the ice water reservoirs and insulating the container before sample measurement, ensuring temperature stability is established before diffusion measurements begin
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the phantom into separate functional segments: ice water reservoirs for temperature control, insulated walls for thermal isolation, and sample compartments for measurement, allowing independent optimization of each component
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 configuration enables consistent and reliable MRI data acquisition, allowing for direct comparison of image quality and performance across different MRI devices and time intervals, while reducing thermal variability and improving the accuracy of diffusion coefficient measurements.
Implementation Method 1
using a fluid-permeable partition and thermally controlled fluid, such as ice water, to stabilize the internal volume
Implementation Method 2
using a fluid-permeable partition and thermally controlled fluid, such as ice water, to stabilize the internal volume
Implementation Method 3
subjecting the MRI phantom to MRI imaging at the selected temperature to acquire the MRI image of the sample
Data Source
AI summary
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) phantom includes an outer container that includes a first portion comprising a first wall; a second portion opposingly disposed to the first portion and sealingly engaged to the first portion, the second portion including a second wall; and an internal volume bounded by the first wall and the second wall, the internal volume being hollow and configured to receive a fluid; and a sample holder disposed in the internal volume of the outer container, wherein the MRI phantom is configured to maintain a constant temperature of the internal volume. A process for acquiring an MRI image includes providing an MRI; disposing a sample member in the sample holder; disposing a fluid in the MRI phantom; disposing the MRI phantom in an MRI device; achieving thermal equilibrium in the MRI phantom at a selected temperature; and subjecting the MRI phantom to MRI imaging at the selected temperature to acquire the MRI image of the sample.