Software Signal Processing in MRI Systems

Solution Overview

Problem

Magnetic resonance tomography devices face complexity and maintenance challenges due to hardware-based signal processing, leading to difficulties in system updates, failure localization, increased costs, and component obsolescence.

Innovation Solution

Transferring traditional hardware functions into software, allowing for signal processing to be executed on a generic computer, which simplifies system complexity and reduces costs by using software to manage coherence and synchronization between transmit and receive paths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If hardware-based signal processing is used, then signal processing functionality is achieved, but system complexity increases and maintenance becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal processing functionalityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces hardware-based signal processing with software-based signal processing. Specifically, traditional hardware components (analog-to-digital converters, digital signal processing units, memory, and control logic implemented in hardware) are replaced with software modules running on a general-purpose computer or processor. This substitution maintains the signal processing functionality while significantly reducing system complexity and improving maintainability, as software can be updated, debugged, and modified without changing physical hardware components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If hardware-based signal processing is used, then signal processing is performed, but failure localization and debugging become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal processing capabilityVSAvoidfailure localization

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces hardware-based signal processing with software-based signal processing. Specifically, traditional hardware components (analog-to-digital converters, digital signal processing units, memory, and control logic implemented in hardware) are replaced with software modules running on a general-purpose computer or processor. This substitution maintains the signal processing functionality while significantly reducing system complexity and improving maintainability, as software can be updated, debugged, and modified without changing physical hardware components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If hardware-based signal processing is used, then signal processing functionality is provided, but costs increase and component obsolescence occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal processing functionalityVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a general-purpose computer or processor that can perform multiple functions including signal processing, data storage, and system control. By using a universal computing platform instead of dedicated hardware components for each function, the system becomes more cost-effective and avoids component obsolescence. The universal computer can be updated with new software to handle different processing requirements without requiring expensive hardware replacements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces hardware-based signal processing with software-based signal processing. Specifically, traditional hardware components (analog-to-digital converters, digital signal processing units, memory, and control logic implemented in hardware) are replaced with software modules running on a general-purpose computer or processor. This substitution maintains the signal processing functionality while significantly reducing system complexity and improving maintainability, as software can be updated, debugged, and modified without changing physical hardware components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10436868B2Signal processing in a magnetic resonance tomography device

Publication Date: 2019.10.08 SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS AG

AI summary

A magnetic resonance tomography system includes a computer configured to implement signal processing of transmit signals and/or receive signals. The signal processing is configured to implement a mixer, an upsampler, a decimator, a filter, or any combination thereof.