Simultaneous Multi-Slab MR Thermometry for Thermal Therapy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing MR thermometry methods face challenges in efficiently monitoring temperature changes across both the target region and peripheral areas during thermal therapy, particularly in high-intensity focused ultrasound applications, due to decreased temporal resolution when increasing the number of 2D slices or 3D slab thickness, leading to inadvertent heating outside the intended zone.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a simultaneous multi-slab acquisition technique using distinct sampling characteristics for interleaved or simultaneous monitoring of multiple slabs, allowing for improved temporal and spatial resolution in both the target and peripheral regions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the number of 2D slices or 3D slab thickness is increased to monitor a larger field of view, then the coverage area is improved, but the temporal resolution deteriorates (scan times increase)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefield of view coverageVSAvoidtemporal resolution

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the monitoring field into multiple thin 3D slabs (e.g., first set of slabs for target region, second set for peripheral regions) instead of using a single thick slab. Each slab is acquired separately with optimized sampling parameters, allowing comprehensive coverage while maintaining fast temporal resolution for each individual slab.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from 2D slice-based monitoring to 3D slab-based monitoring with distinct sampling characteristics. By using three-dimensional slabs with customized phase-encoding and sampling strategies, the system achieves improved spatial coverage in multiple dimensions while maintaining temporal efficiency through parallel acquisition techniques.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If a single sampling characteristic is used for all slabs, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates for different anatomical regions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesampling characteristic uniformityVSAvoidtemperature monitoring accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent assigns different sampling characteristics to different sets of slabs based on their specific anatomical regions and monitoring requirements. For example, slabs covering the target region may use one sampling strategy while slabs covering peripheral regions use another, optimizing temperature monitoring precision for each specific area without requiring complex manual configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12429543B2Simultaneous multi-slab thermometry during MR-guided thermal therapy

Publication Date: 2025.09.30 SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS AG

AI summary

A method for performing magnetic resonance-guided thermal therapy includes selecting a first set of sampling characteristics for acquiring a first set of slabs covering a first anatomical region of interest. Additionally, a second set of sampling characteristics is selected for acquiring a second set of slabs covering a second anatomical region of interest. This second set of sampling characteristics is distinct from the first set of sampling characteristics. An interleaved acquisition of the first set of slabs and the second set of slabs may then be performed using the first set of sampling characteristics and the second set of sampling characteristics.