MRI Quality Control Phantom for Stereotactic Image Registration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current quality control methods for MRI devices are lengthy and complex, making it difficult to detect malfunctions that can lead to erroneous image location information during stereotactic surgery, potentially resulting in catastrophic surgical failures.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a hermetically sealable cylindrical body with a support frame and target objects visible on both X-ray and MRI images, attached to a stereotactic frame, which allows for easy detection of MRI device malfunctions by comparing image positions between MRI and X-ray images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If X-ray images are used to control the quality of MRI images, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
A phantom object with known geometry and visible markers is introduced as an intermediary between the MRI and X-ray imaging systems. This phantom serves as a common reference that both imaging modalities can visualize, enabling precise registration and comparison without requiring complex direct integration between the imaging systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The phantom object creates a simplified copy or representation of the imaging target with clearly defined geometric features and high-contrast markers. This copy allows for easy measurement and comparison of image locations across different imaging modalities, reducing the complexity of direct quality control procedures.
2Measurement precision
If X-ray images are used to control the quality of MRI images, then measurement precision is improved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The phantom object is pre-configured with known geometric parameters and high-contrast markers before the imaging quality control procedure. This preliminary preparation allows for rapid image acquisition and automated comparison algorithms, significantly reducing the time required for quality control while maintaining high measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
By using a phantom with simplified, well-defined geometric features as a copy of the imaging target, the comparison process becomes computationally straightforward and rapid, reducing the time needed for image registration and quality assessment while maintaining accuracy.
3Reliability
If a stereotactic frame is mounted on the patient, then reliability of image location is improved, but patient discomfort and procedure complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The quality control function is extracted from the patient and performed on a separate phantom object. This allows the stereotactic frame to remain mounted on the patient for the necessary duration without requiring additional quality control procedures on the patient themselves, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing patient discomfort and procedural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to quality control devices and methods for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems, more particularly for medical imaging applications. An example is stereotactic surgery where MRI images are combined with X-ray images to accurately locate a target in a subject. A test device (1), and an associated method using said test object, are used to easily detect a faulty calibration or a malfunction of an MRI device. The test device includes: a hermetically sealable hollow body (20) having a substantially cylindrical shape, a support frame (22) configured to be removably inserted in the hollow body and defining a target region (V22) having a substantially cylindrical shape; and a plurality of target objects (24) made of a material visible on X-ray images and MRI images said target objects being arranged in the target region and being attached to the support frame.