MRI Pre-pulse Visualization and Frequency Setting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional MRI systems face difficulties in allowing operators to easily set imaging conditions for applying single or plural pre-pulses, particularly for water excitation or fat saturation, due to complex display interfaces that obscure the relationship between pre-pulses and imaging slices, and the challenge of matching center frequencies with spreading signal peaks.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and method that includes an imaging condition setting unit with an input part and display part to show the application region and attribute information of pre-pulses, along with a frequency spectrum acquisition unit to assist in setting the center frequency of pre-pulses, enabling operators to easily input and visualize the application of pre-pulses and their order.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional display interface is used to show pre-pulse settings, then basic imaging parameters can be set, but the relationship between pre-pulses and imaging slices cannot be clearly visualized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional list view of pre-pulse parameters to a two-dimensional visual display that maps pre-pulse application regions onto anatomical images. This dimensional change allows operators to simultaneously see multiple pre-pulse settings and their spatial relationships without increasing interface complexity, resolving the contradiction between information completeness and simplicity.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple pre-pulses are applied for water excitation or fat saturation, then imaging quality improves, but the difficulty of setting center frequencies increases due to spreading signal peaks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual center frequency adjustment with an automatic determination system that uses frequency spectrum analysis. Instead of requiring operators to manually match center frequencies with spreading peaks, the system automatically identifies peak positions from frequency spectra and sets appropriate center frequencies, thereby maintaining imaging accuracy while dramatically simplifying the setting process.
3Loss of information
If detailed pre-pulse information is displayed, then operator understanding improves, but the interface becomes more complex and harder to use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses visual copies of anatomical images to represent pre-pulse application regions, replacing complex tabular parameter displays. By overlaying visual representations of where pre-pulses are applied on anatomical structures, the system conveys detailed spatial and temporal information in an intuitively understandable format that does not increase operational complexity.
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
Enhances operator usability by clearly displaying pre-pulse information and frequencies, allowing for accurate setting of imaging conditions, which improves the efficiency of data acquisition and image quality by reducing operator errors and simplifying the process of applying pre-pulses for water excitation and fat saturation.
Implementation Method 1
MRI is an imaging method which excites nuclear spin of an object set in a static magnetic field with an RF signal having the Larmor frequency magnetically and reconstructs an image based on an NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) signal generated due to the excitation
Implementation Method 2
a frequency spectrum acquisition unit to assist in setting the center frequency of pre-pulses
Implementation Method 3
when water selective excitation pulse or a fat saturation pulse is applied as a pre-pulse, water excitation or fat saturation is performed by matching a center frequency of the pre-pulse a resonant frequency of signals from a water region such as blood (water signals) or signals from a fat region (fat signals)
Data Source
AI summary
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes an imaging condition setting unit and an image acquisition unit. The imaging condition setting unit includes an input part for inputting an imaging condition with applying plural pre-pulses. The image acquisition unit performs imaging according to the imaging condition and generates an image based on data acquired by the imaging. The imaging condition setting unit includes a display part configured to display an application region and attribute information of at least one pre-pulse of the plural pre-pulses together with a position of the imaging.