Multi-Echo Gradient Echo MRI for Aligned Multi-Contrast Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems face challenges in acquiring multiple images with multiple contrasts efficiently due to the time required for k-space data acquisition and the difficulty in registering images when patient motion occurs, especially with three or more images, which can lead to misalignment.
Innovation Solution
A medical system and method that combines multiple imaging modalities into a single pulse sequence, using a multi-echo gradient echo magnetic resonance imaging protocol to acquire k-space data with varying readout delays, allowing for automatic registration and reconstruction of multiple images, including Dixon water and black-blood images, reducing the impact of patient motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple imaging modalities are acquired separately, then each image can be optimized for its specific contrast, but the acquisition time increases and patient motion causes misalignment between images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple imaging modalities (bright-blood MRA, black-blood vessel wall imaging, and Dixon water-fat separation) into a single pulse sequence with multiple readouts at different delays. This merging approach maintains optimized contrast for each modality while reducing total acquisition time and eliminating motion misalignment issues through simultaneous acquisition.
Solution Approach 2:
The single pulse sequence is segmented into multiple readouts at different time delays after the excitation pulse. Each readout captures k-space data for a specific contrast weighted image, allowing the system to acquire multiple optimized contrasts in one sequence without requiring separate acquisition procedures.
2Measurement precision
If multiple images are acquired separately to obtain different contrasts, then each image can be independently optimized, but registration becomes difficult when patient motion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple imaging modalities into a single simultaneous acquisition, the patent ensures that all images are captured in the same anatomical position without patient motion between scans. This eliminates the registration problem while maintaining optimized contrast for each modality through independent k-space data readouts at different delays.
3Productivity
If a single pulse sequence is used to acquire multiple contrasts, then acquisition time is reduced and motion effects are minimized, but the pulse sequence complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pulse sequence is segmented into multiple readouts at different delays within a single excitation cycle. This segmentation allows the system to acquire multiple contrasts simultaneously while maintaining a manageable sequence structure based on standard gradient echo principles, balancing complexity with functionality.
4Measurement precision
If multiple k-space data readouts are performed at different delays, then multiple contrast images can be reconstructed, but the acquisition time for each readout adds up
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple k-space data readouts into a single pulse sequence execution, where all readouts are performed continuously without interruption after the excitation pulse. This combining approach ensures that multiple contrast images are acquired simultaneously in one sequence, avoiding the cumulative time penalty of separate acquisitions while maintaining diverse contrast options through different readout delays.
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 the time required for image acquisition and ensures automatic alignment of multiple contrast images, improving scan efficiency and diagnostic accuracy by eliminating the need for motion compensation.
Implementation Method 1
A magnetic resonance imaging system is configured for acquiring k-space data from a subject using a multi-echo gradient echo magnetic resonance imaging protocol
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a medical system (100) comprising a magnetic resonance imaging system (102). The execution of the machine executable instructions (140) causes a computational system (132) to: control (200) the magnetic resonance imaging system with multi-echo gradient echo pulse sequence commands to acquire the k-space data (144), form (202) a first k-space data group (146) by aggregating a first selected k-space data portion, form (204) a second k-space data group (148) by aggregating a second selected k-space data portion, form (206) at least one additional k-space data group (150) by aggregating an additional selected k-space data portion; reconstruct (208) a first Dixon water image (152) from the first k-space data group, reconstruct (210) a second Dixon water image (154) from the second k-space data group, and reconstruct (212) an additional magnetic resonance image (156) from each of the at least one additional k-space data group.