MRI Sub-Volume Grouping for Parallel Excitation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques face challenges in efficiently exciting and reconstructing images from multiple sub-volumes within a target volume, leading to increased scan times and potential image distortion.
Innovation Solution
The method involves applying radio frequency (RF) pulses with multiple frequency components and selection gradients to simultaneously excite sub-volumes grouped into different categories, performing 3D encoding, and using parallel imaging algorithms to reconstruct magnetic resonance signals into high-resolution image data, considering channel information from multi-channel receiving coils.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple sub-volumes are excited sequentially in conventional MRI techniques, then image reconstruction accuracy is maintained, but scan time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The target volume is divided into multiple sub-volumes that are grouped into different categories. By assigning neighboring sub-volumes to different groups, the system can simultaneously excite multiple sub-volumes within each group using parallel imaging techniques, thereby reducing the sequential scanning time while maintaining image reconstruction accuracy through proper signal separation and processing.
2Loss of time
If multiple sub-volumes are excited simultaneously, then scan time is reduced, but image distortion increases due to signal interference
Solution Approach 1:
Sub-volumes are segmented into different groups with neighboring sub-volumes assigned to different groups. This spatial segmentation prevents signal interference by ensuring that simultaneously excited sub-volumes are spatially separated, thereby maintaining image quality while enabling parallel excitation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different encoding gradients are applied to different groups of sub-volumes, creating locally distinct signal characteristics. This allows the system to simultaneously excite multiple sub-volumes while maintaining the ability to distinguish and reconstruct signals from each group without interference, thus preserving image quality.
3Productivity
If conventional encoding methods are used for multiple sub-volumes, then system complexity is low, but processing time and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The encoding process is segmented by applying different encoding gradients to different groups of sub-volumes. This segmentation allows for more efficient parallel processing of signals from multiple sub-volumes, reducing the overall computational load and processing time compared to conventional sequential encoding methods, while the added complexity is managed through systematic gradient application.
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
This approach reduces scan time and enhances image resolution by simultaneously exciting and encoding sub-volumes, allowing for the generation of high-resolution 3D volume images with improved signal-to-noise ratio.
Implementation Method 1
The MRI system applies a high frequency signal to the biological tissue to generate a resonance phenomenon from the biological tissue
Implementation Method 2
applying radio frequency (RF) pulses including a plurality of frequency components and a selection gradient to a target to simultaneously excite a plurality of sub-volumes
Implementation Method 3
the MRI system applies a gradient to the biological tissue to obtain space information about the biological tissue
Implementation Method 4
acquiring magnetic resonance signals from the plurality of sub-volumes by performing 3D encoding on each of the excited sub-volumes
Implementation Method 5
acquiring the read-out magnetic resonance signals from the plurality of sub-volumes using multi-channel receiving coils
Data Source
AI summary
A method of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) includes applying radio frequency (RF) pulses including a plurality of frequency components and a selection gradient to a target to simultaneously excite a plurality of sub-volumes included in each of a plurality of groups, wherein neighboring sub-volumes of all sub-volumes constituting a volume of the target belong to different groups; acquiring magnetic resonance signals from the plurality of sub-volumes by performing 3D encoding on each of the excited sub-volumes; and reconstructing the acquired magnetic resonance signals into image data corresponding to each of the plurality of sub-volumes.