Magnetic Resonance Apparatus Region-Specific Parameter Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic resonance imaging systems face inefficiencies in optimizing system parameters for small, medically relevant regions within larger examination volumes, as current adjusting measurements often prioritize average values across the entire volume, leading to suboptimal image quality for specific areas like the liver or pancreas.
Innovation Solution
A method that performs localizing measurements to create a localization dataset, allowing for the selection and optimization of system parameters specifically for the medically relevant region, including calculations for radio-frequency pulse amplitude, system frequency, shim coil currents, and transmit scaling factors, to enhance image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If adjusting measurements are performed over the entire measuring volume, then average system parameters are optimized, but image quality for specific medically relevant regions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the entire measuring volume into multiple regions of interest (ROIs), each corresponding to specific medically relevant anatomical structures. Instead of performing adjusting measurements over the whole volume, the system segments the measurement space and performs separate optimizing measurements for each ROI, allowing region-specific parameter optimization that improves image quality for targeted areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality optimization by determining system parameters (such as resonant frequency, transmitter reference amplitude, and polarization field) specifically for each region of interest rather than using uniform parameters across the entire volume. This allows each anatomical region to have optimized parameters tailored to its specific magnetic field characteristics, thereby improving image quality locally.
2Loss of time
If automatic segmentation is used to identify examination regions, then manual determination time is reduced, but segmentation accuracy may vary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the automatic segmentation results are evaluated and can be refined. The system uses the segmented regions to perform adjusting measurements, and the results of these measurements can feed back into improving the segmentation accuracy. This iterative feedback process helps overcome the initial limitations of automatic segmentation while maintaining time efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary automatic segmentation to identify regions of interest before conducting the main adjusting measurements. This preliminary action establishes the measurement regions quickly, and subsequent refining steps can then focus on improving accuracy for those pre-identified regions, thereby balancing speed and precision.
Data Source
AI summary
In a method and magnetic resonance apparatus for performing at least one adjusting measurement for the magnetic resonance apparatus, a localizing measurement is performed using the magnetic resonance apparatus and a localization dataset is created, and at least one examination region on the localization dataset. At least one examination region of the localization dataset is selected, and at least one adjusting measurement is performed according to the at least one selected examination region. The at least one adjusting measurement can be the calculation of a radio-frequency pulse amplitude, the calculation of a system frequency and the calculation of at least one current of at least one shim coil.