MRI Slice Positioning via Anatomical Feature Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for automatically setting imaging slice positions in medical imaging apparatuses, such as MRI machines, lack flexibility and accuracy, often requiring cumbersome data processing and relying on limited anatomical landmarks, which can lead to inaccuracies due to individual differences in tissue structure.
Innovation Solution
A medical imaging apparatus that generates imaging slice parameters by associating user-specified reference information with anatomical features, allowing for precise calculation and display of the imaging slice position using a standard imaging slice setter, real imaging slice position calculator, and anatomical feature extractor, enabling flexible and accurate automatic setting of imaging slices based on user preferences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If automatic setting methods using predetermined diagnostic planes or standard protocols are used, then operability is enhanced, but flexibility and accuracy are reduced due to individual anatomical differences
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts the imaging slice position calculation by extracting actual anatomical features from the subject's scout image and using them to adjust the slice position automatically, rather than relying on fixed predetermined planes. This allows the system to maintain ease of operation while achieving high accuracy for each individual subject.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters used for slice positioning from fixed standard protocols to variable parameters derived from actual anatomical feature extraction. By calculating slice positions based on extracted anatomical landmarks specific to each subject, the system achieves both automation and high positioning accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If manual setting of imaging slice position is performed, then accuracy can be adjusted according to user preference, but operability and efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically extracting anatomical features from the scout image and calculating the optimal imaging slice position without requiring manual user intervention. This automation maintains high accuracy while significantly improving operability and examination efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the manual mechanical process of visual inspection and manual slice positioning with an automated image processing system that extracts anatomical features and calculates slice positions algorithmically, thereby improving both efficiency and consistency.
3Measurement precision
If multiple data items and conversion processes are used for automatic setting, then individual differences can be accommodated, but device complexity and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the essential anatomical features needed for slice positioning from the scout image, rather than processing multiple redundant data items. This selective extraction approach maintains high positioning accuracy while simplifying the overall data processing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary extraction of anatomical features from the scout image before the actual imaging process, allowing the imaging slice position to be predetermined automatically. This preliminary action simplifies the main imaging process and reduces overall processing complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the automatic configuration of imaging slices to suit user preferences with high accuracy, reducing the need for manual adjustments and improving reproducibility in follow-up examinations by accurately determining the imaging slice position based on individual anatomical features.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic resonance imaging (hereinafter, referred to as MRI) apparatus is a medical diagnostic imaging apparatus, which mainly uses a nuclear magnetic resonance phenomenon of a proton
Implementation Method 2
a slice gradient magnetic field is applied to a subject placed in a static magnetic field, and simultaneously, a radio frequency magnetic field having a specific frequency is applied, thereby exciting nuclear magnetization within the slice that is targeted for imaging
Data Source
AI summary
A technique in a medical imaging apparatus being capable of setting any plane in three-dimensional space as an imaging slice is provided, allowing an automatically-set imaging slice to be configured to suit user's preferences, and determine a position of the imaging slice being configured, with respect to an imaging target subject automatically with a high degree of accuracy. Reference information for specifying the imaging slice, set by the user for each imaging site, is associated with the anatomical feature of the imaging site, so as to generate an imaging slice parameter. Upon actual imaging, the imaging slice parameter and the anatomical feature of the imaging target subject obtained by scout imaging are used to determine the imaging slice position of the imaging target subject.