MRI Scanner Trabecular Bone Strength Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for assessing bone strength in osteoporosis, particularly trabecular bone microstructure, face limitations such as low resolution and significant radiation exposure in conventional imaging techniques, which fail to accurately predict fracture risk in post-menopausal women and men over fifty.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing magnetic resonance scan data to model trabecular bone microstructure, employing Bayesian analysis to generate values indicative of bone strength by analyzing the size, aspect ratio, and orientation of marrow phase pockets, enabling more accurate diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If CT imaging is used to measure trabecular microstructure, then resolution can be improved to 80 μm³ in peripheral bones, but radiation exposure increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrabecular microstructure resolutionVSAvoidradiation exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces CT imaging (which uses ionizing radiation) with MRI imaging (which uses magnetic fields and radio waves). This substitution eliminates radiation exposure while maintaining the capability to measure trabecular microstructure parameters through specialized MRI sequences and signal processing techniques.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the imaging modality from X-ray based CT to magnetic resonance based MRI. By utilizing different physical principles (magnetic moment, relaxation times T1 and T2* instead of X-ray attenuation), the system achieves comparable or superior soft tissue contrast and trabecular microstructure assessment without ionizing radiation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional MRI systems are used to image trabecular bone, then radiation exposure is avoided, but resolution is limited to low resolution ( ̃300 μm³) due to poor signal-to-noise ratio

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiation exposureVSAvoidtrabecular microstructure resolution

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic pulse sequences (MRI pulses) to repeatedly excite and sample the magnetic resonance signal from trabecular bone. Through multiple excitations and signal averaging, the system improves the signal-to-noise ratio, enabling high-resolution imaging at 80 μm³ without radiation exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes continuous data acquisition and signal processing during the MRI scan to maximize the useful signal from trabecular bone. By continuously sampling and processing the magnetic resonance signals with appropriate filtering and reconstruction algorithms, the system maintains high signal-to-noise ratio throughout the imaging process, achieving the required resolution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Measurement precision

If high resolution 3D data is acquired with conventional MRI, then trabecular microstructure detail is improved, but acquisition time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrabecular microstructure resolutionVSAvoiddata acquisition time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the imaging process into optimized pulse sequences and data acquisition steps specifically tailored for trabecular bone. By dividing the 3D volume into manageable k-space segments and using efficient sampling strategies, the system reduces total acquisition time while maintaining high resolution (80 μm³) trabecular microstructure imaging capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent acquires only the essential data needed for trabecular bone microstructure assessment rather than full anatomical coverage. By focusing the imaging volume and parameters specifically on the trabecular region of interest and using partial Fourier or compressed sensing techniques, the system achieves high resolution in reduced time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 provides non-invasive, high-resolution assessments of trabecular bone strength, improving the detection and monitoring of osteoporosis, reducing radiation exposure, and enhancing the prediction of fracture risk beyond conventional BMD measurements.

Implementation Method 1

magnetic resonance scan data to generate values that are indicative of strength of a trabecular bone

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic resonance: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS9351662B2MRI scanner that outputs bone strength indicators

Publication Date: 2016.05.31 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

Described herein are various technologies pertaining to diagnosing and/or prescribing treatment for osteoporosis. A bone of a patient is subjected to an MRI scan, and the resultant signal is subjected to a likelihood function. The output of the likelihood function are values that are parameters that are employed to ascertain connectivity of trabeculae in the bone of the patient and volumetric trabecular density of the bone.