MRI Table Top Speed Control for Blood Flow Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems face challenges in capturing accurate images of blood flow velocity, especially when using contrast agents, as the table top movement does not effectively follow the varying flow velocities within a subject, leading to suboptimal data for diagnosis.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and method that allows for real-time control of table top movement rates to match the actual blood flow velocity, using a system with a static magnetic field, gradient coils, and RF coils to acquire and process 3D data, enabling proper image reconstruction even with varying flow velocities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the table top is moved at a constant speed, then the imaging process is simple and stable, but the image data does not follow the varying blood flow velocity, reducing diagnostic quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic table top speed adjustment by changing the movement speed based on the contrast agent's flow velocity at different positions. The control unit receives position information and calculates appropriate speed changes, transforming the table top system from static constant-speed operation to dynamic variable-speed operation that adapts to physiological conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop where the control unit continuously monitors the contrast agent's position and flow velocity, then adjusts the table top speed accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that the table top movement remains synchronized with the blood flow, maintaining optimal imaging conditions throughout the examination.
2Measurement precision
If the table top speed is adjusted to follow blood flow velocity, then image data quality improves, but the control system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit serves as an intermediary between the imaging system and the table top drive mechanism. It processes position information from the imaging system, calculates the appropriate table top speed based on predetermined relationships or algorithms, and transmits control signals to the drive mechanism, thereby decoupling the complexity of speed control from both the imaging and drive systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the movement parameter (speed) of the table top based on the position parameter of the contrast agent. By establishing a relationship between position and speed parameters, the system achieves adaptive speed control without requiring direct velocity measurement, simplifying the overall control architecture.
3Area of stationary object
If continuous 3D imaging is performed with table top movement, then broad field-of-view coverage is achieved, but real-time image reconstruction becomes difficult due to large data processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs partial image reconstruction by prioritizing the reconstruction of image sections that contain the contrast agent while deferring or simplifying the reconstruction of other sections. This selective approach reduces the immediate processing burden while maintaining diagnostic quality for the most relevant regions.
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 acquisition of image data that accurately follows blood flow velocity, improving diagnostic capabilities by ensuring that the table top movement matches the flow velocity, thus providing suitable images for different subjects and regions.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus which forms a static magnetic field, gradient magnetic fields and radio frequency magnetic field in a subject
Data Source
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AI summary
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes data acquiring means that acquires 3D raw data of a subject, 2D data extract means that extracts 2D data for "ky = 0" out of the 3D raw data concurrently with the acquiring of 3D raw data by the data acquiring means, 2D-data rearranging means that Fourier-transforms in a z-axis direction the extractped 2D data for "ky = 0" and rearranges the same on a kx-z space concurrently with the acquiring of 3D raw data by the data acquiring means, 2D-imade reconstructing means that performs a one-dimensional Fourier transform on z-data completed in a kx direction and acquires a 2D image for a real space concurrently with the acquiring of 3D raw data by the data acquiring means, and a display control means that causes to display a 2D image on a monitor concurrently with the acquiring of 3D raw data by the data acquiring means. Meanwhile, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus has 3D-data rearranging means that Fourier-transforms the 3D raw data in the z-axis direction and rearranges the same on a kx-ky-z space, and 3D-image reconstructing means that performs a two-dimensional Fourier transform on the z-data completed in a kx/ky direction and acquires a 3D image for a real space, thus calculating a movement rate of the table top according to a rate-change signal inputted on an input device.