MRI Thermal Therapy Phase Image Correction System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Temperature measurement uncertainties in MRI-guided thermal therapies due to sources like MR artifacts, frequency drift, and non-uniform tissue structures lead to reduced accuracy and efficiency in thermal therapy delivery.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of dynamic correction methodologies during thermal treatment, including the use of static and dynamic masks, phase unwrapping, and noise filtering, to enhance the accuracy of temperature measurements and improve the precision of thermal therapy delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If temperature measurements are used for feedback control in thermal therapy, then treatment precision can be improved, but measurement uncertainties from MR artifacts and frequency drift reduce accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system that continuously monitors temperature measurements from MRI and adjusts thermal energy delivery in real-time. The system compares measured temperatures against target temperatures and modifies heating parameters to maintain accuracy despite measurement uncertainties from MR artifacts and frequency drift.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by detecting frequency drift in MRI signals and dynamically adjusting reference frequencies and temperature calculation parameters. This compensation method corrects measurement errors caused by frequency variations, maintaining temperature measurement accuracy throughout the thermal therapy procedure.
2Reliability
If thermal therapy is delivered to achieve complete heating of target region, then treatment effectiveness improves, but unintended heating of surrounding regions may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using spatially-resolved temperature measurements from MRI to deliver non-uniform thermal energy distribution. The system heats different regions of the target volume to different temperatures based on local treatment requirements, ensuring complete heating of needed areas while preserving surrounding tissues.
Solution Approach 2:
The real-time feedback control system continuously monitors temperature distribution and adjusts heating parameters to maintain temperatures within safe ranges. When unintended heating is detected in surrounding regions, the system automatically reduces energy delivery to those areas while maintaining effective heating in the target region.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If thermal therapy is halted to allow cooling of unintended regions, then patient safety improves, but treatment time increases and facility efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous feedback control system prevents unintended heating from reaching dangerous levels by real-time monitoring and adjustment. This proactive control eliminates the need for treatment interruptions, maintaining patient safety while maximizing facility productivity and treatment efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system takes preliminary action by implementing preventive control measures that stop unintended heating before it becomes harmful. By anticipating and preventing safety issues rather than reacting to them, the system avoids treatment interruptions and maintains high facility efficiency.
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 significantly reduces errors in temperature measurements, leading to improved accuracy and efficiency in MRI-guided thermal therapies, ensuring effective heating of target regions while minimizing unintended heating of other areas.
Implementation Method 1
Temperature measurements derived from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods are subject to errors or potential errors from a variety of sources
Implementation Method 2
applying phase unwrap
Implementation Method 3
applying a first mask; applying a second mask
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, a method comprises: receiving data indicative of at least one phase image captured using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device during delivery of thermal therapy by a thermal therapy applicator to a target volume within a patient's body; and processing said at least one phase image; wherein said processing said at least one phase image comprises: applying a first mask; applying phase unwrap; and applying a second mask.