MRI Motion Estimation via Slice Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional MRI motion monitoring techniques are inadequate in detecting and correcting for fast and frequent motion during scans, leading to image artifacts and increased scan duration, which complicates data acquisition and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that estimate motion of a subject during an MRI scan by aligning acquired slices to a reference volume, allowing for real-time motion detection and correction, thereby improving data quality and reducing scan time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional MRI motion monitoring techniques are used, then motion detection is performed, but fast and frequent motion during scans cannot be detected accurately, leading to image artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the volumetric MRI data into multiple individual slices for independent motion analysis. By processing each slice separately and comparing it to corresponding slices from reference volumes, the system can detect fast and frequent motion at the slice level, improving motion detection accuracy and preventing image artifacts that would otherwise occur with conventional volume-level monitoring.
2Reliability
If motion correction is not performed, then scan duration is reduced, but image artifacts increase and data quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs motion estimation and correction calculations during the scan acquisition process itself, using previously acquired slices and reference volumes to predict and correct motion in subsequent slices. This preliminary action approach allows real-time motion correction without requiring additional scan time, maintaining data quality while avoiding extended scan duration.
3Reliability
If real-time motion estimation is implemented, then motion correction capability is improved, but computational complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the computationally intensive motion correction task into smaller, manageable units by processing individual slices independently. Each slice is aligned to its corresponding reference slice using simplified registration algorithms, and corrections are applied on a per-slice basis. This segmentation reduces the overall computational complexity compared to processing entire volumes simultaneously, while still providing real-time motion correction capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are techniques to estimate motion of a subject during a magnetic resonance image (MRI) scan. The estimation may be based on one or more slices acquired during the MRI scan, permitting automated estimation of motion of the subject during the MRI scan. Some such techniques may be performed during the MRI scan, before the completion of the MRI scan, or after the MRI scan before or after magnetic resonance data (MR data) resulting from the MRI scan has been processed to generate an image from the MR data.