Multi-Slice Phase Pulse Wave Velocity Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining pulse wave velocity (PWV) in blood vessels are time-consuming and prone to errors due to respiratory and cardiac variability, leading to increased patient discomfort and reduced accuracy.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of simultaneous multi-slice pulse wave velocity measurement techniques, which allow for the simultaneous acquisition of multiple parallel image slices using phase contrast or cine imaging, enabling accurate PWV estimation by calculating the temporal shift between imaging planes and reducing scan planning and acquisition time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple image slices are acquired sequentially using conventional methods, then measurement precision can be maintained, but acquisition time increases and patient throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple slice acquisitions into a single simultaneous measurement using multi-band RF excitation. Multiple parallel slices are excited and imaged at the same time under identical physiological conditions, eliminating the time separation between slices that occurs in sequential acquisition methods. This merging approach maintains measurement precision by ensuring all slices are captured during the same cardiac and respiratory cycle while dramatically reducing total acquisition time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic slice positioning through phase modulation to shift the location of multiple slices along the longitudinal direction. By dynamically adjusting the phase patterns, the system can selectively position slices at different locations while maintaining simultaneous acquisition. This dynamic approach allows flexible slice placement without requiring sequential scanning, thus improving time efficiency while preserving measurement accuracy.
2Ease of operation
If multiple image slices are acquired sequentially, then scan planning burden is manageable, but total acquisition time increases and patient comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple slice acquisitions into a single simultaneous operation using multi-band RF excitation. This approach reduces the total number of scan planning steps required, as all slices are acquired in one go rather than requiring separate planning and execution for each slice. The simplified planning process reduces operational complexity while the shortened acquisition time significantly improves patient comfort by minimizing the time the patient must remain stationary and endure the scanning process.
3Adaptability or versatility
If slices are acquired at different times, then acquisition flexibility is maintained, but respiratory and cardiac variability introduces measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple slice acquisitions into a single simultaneous measurement event using multi-band RF excitation. All slices are acquired during the same cardiac and respiratory cycle, eliminating the temporal separation that causes physiological variability. This approach maintains measurement precision by ensuring that all slices reflect the same physiological state, while the use of phase modulation provides flexibility in slice positioning and selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dynamic phase modulation to adjust slice positions and patterns adaptively. The phase patterns can be modified to shift slices along the longitudinal direction or to create different slice configurations, providing acquisition flexibility. This dynamic control allows the system to adapt slice positioning to anatomical variations or measurement requirements while maintaining simultaneous acquisition, thus preserving both flexibility and measurement accuracy.
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 reduces patient discomfort, increases accuracy, and enhances patient throughput by minimizing variability in cardiac and respiratory rates during PWV measurement, while maintaining consistency across multiple slices acquired under the same physiological conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device is used to acquire a plurality of simultaneous multi-slice (SMS) images
Implementation Method 2
shifting the plurality of image slices through modulation of the line-by-line phase patterns for each slice in the plurality of slices
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments can provide a computer-implemented method for simultaneous multi-slice pulse wave velocity measurement, the method comprising simultaneously acquiring a plurality of multiple parallel images slices from a medical imaging device; shifting the plurality of image slices through modulation of the line-by-line phase patterns for each slice in the plurality of slices; deriving a plurality of image waveforms from the plurality of slices; measuring a distance between a plurality of imaging planes corresponding to the plurality of image slices; determining, for each of the image waveforms, a time-to marker; determining the temporal shift by calculating the difference between the time-to markers; and computing the pulse wave velocity by dividing the distance between the plurality of imaging planes by the temporal shift.