MRI Wave Encoding Multitasking Acceleration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current MRI technologies face limitations in accelerating data acquisition speed and improving spatiotemporal resolution due to the slow Fourier imaging process, which increases patient discomfort and restricts volumetric coverage, and parallel imaging techniques are limited by noise amplification and SNR penalties.
Innovation Solution
The combination of wave encoding and multitasking techniques in MRI systems, where a wave encoding gradient with oscillating gradients is applied to acquire imaging signals, allowing for efficient k-space sampling and simultaneous acquisition of multiple time dimensions, enabling accelerated imaging with reduced artifacts and SNR penalties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If Fourier imaging process is used in MRI, then image quality can be maintained, but scanning time becomes excessively long causing patient discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the imaging process into multiple tasks performed simultaneously. Multiple imaging tasks (e.g., different anatomical regions, different contrast weights, or different temporal phases) are acquired in parallel within a single scan, eliminating the need for sequential Fourier imaging of each task and dramatically reducing total scan time while maintaining diagnostic image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple imaging tasks into a single unified acquisition process. By combining multiple contrast weights, anatomical regions, or temporal phases into one scan using multitasking techniques, the system achieves what would traditionally require multiple separate scans, thereby reducing patient discomfort and scanning time without sacrificing image quality.
2Productivity
If parallel imaging techniques are used to accelerate MRI, then scanning time is reduced, but noise amplification and SNR penalties occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic multitasking acquisition where imaging parameters such as echo time, inversion time, or contrast timing are dynamically adjusted across multiple tasks within a single scan. This dynamic approach allows optimal SNR for each task while maintaining accelerated scanning, avoiding the static SNR penalties associated with traditional parallel imaging methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes imaging parameters (e.g., echo train length, bandwidth, flip angles, timing parameters) across different tasks within the multitasking framework. By optimizing parameters for each specific task while acquiring multiple tasks simultaneously, the system achieves accelerated scanning without the uniform SNR degradation that plagues conventional parallel imaging approaches.
3Productivity
If wave encoding gradient is applied for accelerated imaging, then scanning efficiency improves, but artifacts may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the wave encoding process is monitored and adjusted in real-time during the scan. By using reference scans, navigator echoes, or self-calibration techniques, the system detects and corrects artifacts caused by wave encoding gradients, maintaining high scanning efficiency while minimizing image quality degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines wave encoding gradients with traditional Fourier encoding in a hybrid approach. By using composite encoding schemes that integrate wave encoding acceleration with conventional spatial encoding, the system achieves improved scanning efficiency while the complementary encoding methods help suppress artifacts that would arise from using wave encoding alone.
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 enhances scanning efficiency and accuracy by shortening scanning time and improving dynamic tracking of multiple dimensions, while maintaining low artifact and SNR penalties, thus providing more comfortable and effective MRI procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a wave encoding gradient with oscillating gradients is applied to acquire imaging signals, allowing for efficient k-space sampling
Implementation Method 2
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems use a powerful magnetic field and radio frequency (RF) techniques to generate images
Data Source
AI summary
A method may include obtaining a plurality of imaging signals collected by applying a wave encoding gradient to a region of interest (ROI) of a subject. The method may also include obtaining a plurality of auxiliary signals associated with the ROI. The method may also include obtaining a point spread function corresponding to the wave encoding gradient. The method may also include determining, based on the plurality of auxiliary signals, temporal information relating to at least one temporal dimension of the ROI. The method may also include determining, based on the plurality of auxiliary signals, the plurality of imaging signals, and the point spread function, spatial information relating to at least one spatial dimension of the ROI. The method may also include generating at least one target image of the ROI based on the temporal information and the spatial information.