MRI Sequence Timing Optimization via Interval Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Magnetic resonance sequences in MRI systems face inefficiencies in timing optimization, leading to suboptimal image quality and prolonged measurement times, due to inflexible time intervals and gradient switching patterns that do not fully utilize gradient power.

Innovation Solution

A method to automatically analyze and optimize the duration of specific time intervals in magnetic resonance sequences, while keeping certain intervals unchanged, allowing for improved timing and adaptation of gradient switchings to minimize duration and adhere to system specifications, thereby enhancing image quality and reducing measurement time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the duration of time intervals in a magnetic resonance sequence is manually set or fixed, then the sequence structure is simple and easy to implement, but the timing efficiency is suboptimal and measurement times are prolonged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement time efficiencyVSAvoidsequence optimization complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic self-optimization of the magnetic resonance sequence timing. The processor automatically analyzes the sequence, identifies optimizable time intervals, calculates optimized durations, and generates the optimized sequence without requiring manual intervention, thereby improving measurement efficiency while avoiding the complexity of manual optimization processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the timing parameters of the magnetic resonance sequence by automatically optimizing the duration of time intervals. The processor modifies the time interval durations while maintaining constraints on certain intervals, thereby improving the overall timing efficiency and reducing measurement time without fundamentally changing the sequence structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If gradient switchings are applied with fixed timing patterns, then the system operation is simple, but gradient power is not fully utilized and image quality is suboptimal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidgradient power utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces dynamic optimization of gradient switching timing. Instead of fixed timing patterns, the system dynamically adjusts the timing of gradient switchings based on automatic analysis of the sequence, allowing the gradient power to be fully utilized while improving image quality through optimized timing coordination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of time

If all time intervals are optimized for duration reduction, then measurement time is shortened, but the structural integrity and synchronization of the sequence is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement timeVSAvoidsequence synchronization

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies different optimization treatments to different parts of the sequence. Certain time intervals are designated as fixed and cannot be modified, while other intervals are optimized for duration reduction. This local differentiation allows the sequence to maintain its structural integrity and synchronization where needed, while reducing measurement time in optimizable segments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic resonance sequence is segmented into different time interval sets: fixed intervals that maintain structural integrity and synchronization, and optimizable intervals that can be shortened. This segmentation allows selective optimization without compromising the overall sequence reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of operation

If the magnetic resonance sequence uses standard timing intervals, then compatibility with standard protocols is maintained, but timing efficiency and patient comfort are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient comfortVSAvoidsequence customization flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary automatic optimization of the magnetic resonance sequence before execution. By pre-analyzing the sequence and optimizing time intervals in advance, the system reduces measurement time and improves patient comfort while maintaining compatibility with standard protocols through constrained optimization of specific intervals

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10012710B2Method and magnetic resonance apparatus for optimization of a magnetic resonance sequence

Publication Date: 2018.07.03 SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS AG

AI summary

In a method to optimize a magnetic resonance sequence of a magnetic resonance apparatus and a magnetic resonance apparatus operated according to such a method, optimization of the timing of the magnetic resonance sequence is implemented by adopting a magnetic resonance sequence as a starting sequence includes a first time interval set of one or more first time intervals and a second time interval set of one or more second time intervals, wherein the first time intervals of the first time interval set are to be left unmodified with regard to an optimization of the duration. The magnetic resonance sequence is automatically analyzed to identify the first time intervals of the first time interval set and the second time intervals of the second time interval set in the magnetic resonance sequence. The duration of at least one second time interval of the second time interval set is then automatically optimized.