MRI Susceptibility Imaging Echo Signal Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Susceptibility-emphasized imaging in MRI using the echo planar method disperses the emphasized effect of magnetic susceptibility across the entire image due to mixed information from echo signals measured at different times, making it impossible to optimally emphasize areas of interest.
Innovation Solution
The MRI apparatus controls the measuring order of echo signals based on the size of the area of interest, aligning echo signals corresponding to target frequencies with specific echo times to enhance susceptibility effects, using a measurement controller and calculation processor to arrange echo data in K space for optimal image reconstruction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the echo planar method is used to measure multiple echo signals with one RF pulse to shorten imaging time, then imaging time is reduced, but information from echo signals measured at different times is mixed, dispersing the susceptibility-emphasizing effect across the entire image
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the K space into multiple regions corresponding to different echo signals, and assigns each region to specific echo time information. This segmentation allows the system to separate and organize echo signal data from different time points into distinct K space regions, preventing mixing of temporal information while maintaining the efficiency of single-RF-pulse multi-echo measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by making different parts of the K space have different temporal characteristics. Specifically, different regions of the K space are populated with echo signal data from different echo times, allowing susceptibility emphasis to be optimized for specific anatomical regions or pathologies while maintaining overall imaging efficiency.
2Productivity
If echo signals are measured at different times and disposed in K space, then imaging time is shortened through efficient data collection, but the phase variation information is mixed and cannot provide optimal susceptibility emphasis for areas of interest
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the K space data organization into distinct regions that correspond to different echo times. This segmentation enables efficient data collection from multiple echo signals while maintaining the ability to separately process and emphasize phase variation information for specific regions of interest, thereby preserving measurement precision despite high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic control over the measuring order of echo signals based on the size and location of the area of interest. The system dynamically adjusts which echo signals are measured at which K space locations, allowing optimal phase variation measurement for different anatomical regions while maintaining efficient data collection across the entire image.
3Manufacturing precision
If the measuring order of echo signals is controlled according to area of interest size and target frequency in K space, then optimal susceptibility emphasis is achieved for specific regions, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the echo signal measuring order based on the characteristics of the area of interest. The measurement controller dynamically determines the optimal measuring sequence by considering the size of the area of interest and the corresponding target frequency in K space, enabling precise susceptibility emphasis while managing system complexity through adaptive rather than fixed control logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measuring order parameter of echo signals based on the area of interest characteristics. By adjusting the measuring order parameter according to the size and location of the area of interest, the system achieves optimal susceptibility emphasis for different regions without requiring fundamentally different hardware or complex additional components.
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 allows for the optimal susceptibility-emphasizing of specific areas of interest in MRI images, enhancing contrast and reducing imaging time by aligning echo data with desired susceptibility effects.
Implementation Method 1
magnetic resonance imaging (hereinafter referred to as MRI) apparatus for obtaining a tomogram of an examination site of an examinee by using nuclear magnetic resonance phenomenon
Implementation Method 2
The MRI apparatus uses uniform magnetostatic field, and the magnetostatic field locally varies due to the magnetic susceptibility of an examinee. The effect of the local magnetic field variation appears as phase variation in image data.
Data Source
AI summary
An image in which an area of interest on an image is optimally susceptibility-emphasized is obtained in susceptibility-emphasized imaging. A measuring order of plural echo signals is controlled in accordance with the size of a desired area of interest of an examinee. Preferably, a target frequency in a K space is determined in accordance with the size of the area of interest, and the measuring order of plural echo signals is controlled so that an echo signal corresponding to the target frequency is measured at a target echo signal or in the neighborhood of the target echo time.