MRI Signal Processing Excluding External RF Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of multiple MRI apparatuses close to each other leads to insufficient shielding against radio waves and magnetic fields, resulting in artifacts and noise in reconstructed images due to interference between the devices, particularly when they share the same static magnetic field strength and magnetic resonance frequency.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus and method that acquire MR signals while excluding data affected by external RF pulses from nearby MRI apparatuses by receiving timing signals for the external RF pulses and reacquiring MR signals during periods of potential interference, ensuring image quality is maintained by avoiding the use of data corrupted by external influences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple MRI apparatuses are installed close to each other, then space utilization is improved, but image quality deteriorates due to radio wave and magnetic field interference
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by acquiring timing information about external RF pulses before actual MR signal acquisition. The control circuitry uses this advance knowledge to identify and exclude contaminated data segments, preventing interference artifacts from degrading image quality while allowing closer MRI apparatus installation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes contaminated MR signal data segments that are affected by external RF pulses. By identifying time periods when external RF pulses are transmitted and excluding corresponding MR signal acquisition periods, the system separates useful signal data from contaminated data, maintaining image quality despite close MRI apparatus placement
2Manufacturing precision
If shielding structures are added to prevent interference, then image quality is improved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces mechanical/physical shielding structures with a signal processing approach. Instead of using radio wave shields and magnetic field shields to physically block interference, the system uses timing information and data exclusion logic to eliminate contaminated signals, achieving the same protective effect without complex shielding infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuitry acts as an intermediary that receives timing information from external MRI apparatus and uses it to filter contaminated MR signals. This intermediary mechanism enables selective exclusion of interfering data without requiring physical barriers, simplifying the overall system architecture
3Productivity
If data acquisition continues without interruption, then productivity is improved, but image quality deteriorates due to inclusion of contaminated data
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial exclusion of MR signal data by removing only the contaminated segments corresponding to external RF pulse transmission periods. This partial action approach maintains productivity by keeping most of the acquired data while selectively eliminating harmful portions, achieving both efficiency and image quality
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, an image processing apparatus comprising: a processing circuitry configured to: acquire an MR signal emitted from an object by an RF pulse of a first MRI apparatus being applied to the object; and generate an image based on the acquired MR signal, an MR signal corresponding to a period when a second MRI apparatus outputs an RF pulse, being not used for generating the image.