MRI Reception Gain Lookup Table Eliminates Pre-Scan
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current MRI systems require a pre-scan to determine the optimal reception gain for MR signals, which increases examination time and is inefficient, as the pre-scan needs to be performed for every imaging session.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and method that stores and retrieves reception gains based on patient information and imaging conditions, allowing for the direct selection of appropriate gains without the need for a pre-scan in subsequent imaging sessions when conditions remain unchanged, using a database to store and retrieve these gains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a pre-scan is performed to determine the optimal reception gain for every imaging session, then the reception gain can be accurately optimized for each imaging, but the examination time increases and throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs reception gain optimization in advance during system initialization or calibration phase, storing the optimized gain values in a lookup table. During actual imaging sessions, the pre-determined gain values are directly applied without requiring additional pre-scan time, thus resolving the contradiction between optimization accuracy and examination time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a reference model or lookup table containing optimized reception gain values based on initial pre-scan measurements. Instead of performing repeated pre-scans for each imaging session, the system copies and applies the stored gain values from the reference model, maintaining optimization accuracy while eliminating redundant measurement time.
2Reliability
If a pre-scan is performed for every imaging to determine reception gain, then optimal signal reception is achieved, but the productivity and throughput of examinations decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs reception gain calibration in advance and stores the results for reuse. During subsequent imaging sessions with similar conditions, the pre-determined gain values are directly applied, ensuring reliable signal reception without sacrificing examination throughput to repeated pre-scans.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses initially acquired pre-scan data to automatically determine and store reception gain parameters that serve all subsequent imaging sessions. The system essentially serves itself by reusing previously acquired information, eliminating the need for continuous pre-scans and maintaining both reliability and productivity.
3Manufacturing precision
If reception gain is set for every imaging based on pre-scan, then the dynamic range of A/D converter is fully utilized, but the complexity of the imaging process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs dynamic range calibration once in advance, storing the relationship between signal characteristics and optimal reception gain settings. This preliminary action ensures full A/D converter utilization is achieved while simplifying the imaging process by eliminating repeated calibration steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a reference lookup table containing pre-determined reception gain values that optimize A/D converter dynamic range utilization. During imaging, these stored values are copied and applied directly, maintaining precision while reducing process complexity by replacing iterative measurements with straightforward table lookups.
Data Source
AI summary
An MRI apparatus includes a reception gain storage part, a reception gain acquisition part, and a generation part. The reception gain storage part is configured to store reception gains of MR signals. The reception gains are related to at least one of pieces of patient information and imaging conditions. The reception gain acquisition part is configured to obtain a corresponding reception gain from the reception gain storage part, based on at least one of a piece of patient information and an imaging condition of an object. The piece of the patient information and the imaging condition have been specified for an imaging of the object. The generation part is configured to receive MR signals of the object with an amplification with the reception gain obtained by the reception gain acquisition part, and generate image data based on the received MR signals.