Magnetic Resonance Tomograph Time-Coded Data Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Magnetic resonance tomographs require complex hardware and hard real-time data processing with short response times, limiting flexibility and increasing costs due to the need for specialized digital receiving devices.

Innovation Solution

A method that adds time information to digital measured values, allowing subsequent processing by a programmable computing device, thereby eliminating the need for hard real-time processing and enabling flexible data preprocessing and evaluation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If hard real-time processing with short response times is used, then data processing speed is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to specialized hardware requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata processing speedVSAvoidhardware complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional hard real-time processing hardware system with a software-based approach. By adding time information to digital measured values and using a programmable computing device, the system substitutes complex specialized hardware with a more flexible software solution that achieves the same processing objectives without the associated hardware complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of time

If hard real-time processing is implemented, then response time is improved, but flexibility in data processing is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse timeVSAvoidprocessing flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic flexibility by using a programmable computing device that can be reconfigured through software. The system adds time information to measured values, allowing the processing methodology to be dynamically adjusted by changing programs rather than hardware configurations. This provides adaptability in data processing while maintaining acceptable response time characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If specialized digital receiving devices are used, then data processing capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata processing capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a cost-effective approach by using a programmable computing device that can be implemented with standard off-the-shelf hardware components. Instead of investing in expensive specialized digital receiving devices, the system uses general-purpose computing hardware combined with software algorithms, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining adequate data processing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS10191129B2Operating a magnetic resonance tomograph

Publication Date: 2019.01.29 SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS AG

AI summary

A method for operating a magnetic resonance tomograph having at least one receiving antenna, at least one converter device for analog/digital conversion and a programmable computing device is provided. The method includes generating, with the converter device, digital measured values by digitizing the analog reception signal from the receiving antenna and/or at least one analog signal derived from the reception signal. A time-coding device adds an item of time information that describes the recording time of the measured values to each of the digital measured values or to groups of measured values including a plurality of the digital measured values in order to generate a time-coded data stream. The programmable computing device processes the time-coded data stream further.