Parallel Intravascular MRI Probe Using Segmented Coils
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Intravascular MRI has lagged behind intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in imaging speed, despite offering superior image quality, due to limitations in conventional MRI acquisition techniques.
Innovation Solution
The use of a probe with at least two MR RF reception coils connected to separate receiver channels in a magnetic resonance imaging machine, employing a partially parallel acquisition technique to simultaneously sample response signals and form reduced k-space datasets, allowing for accelerated imaging while maintaining high resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional MRI acquisition techniques are used, then image quality is maintained, but imaging speed is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system divides the acquisition task into multiple parallel channels, each handling a portion of the k-space data. Multiple receiver coils are used to simultaneously acquire data from different spatial locations, segmenting the overall acquisition process into concurrent operations that reduce total imaging time while maintaining image quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces parallel acquisition across multiple receiver channels as an additional dimension of data collection. By acquiring data from multiple coils simultaneously rather than sequentially, the system adds a spatial parallelism dimension that accelerates imaging without compromising resolution or quality
2Productivity
If conventional single-coil acquisition is used, then system complexity is low, but imaging speed is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter incorporates multiple receiver coils segmented along its length, with each coil element capable of independent signal reception. This segmentation allows parallel data acquisition from different axial positions, increasing imaging throughput while the modular coil design keeps individual element complexity manageable
Solution Approach 2:
Each receiver coil element serves multiple functions: it acts as both a signal receiver and a spatial encoder, eliminating the need for separate encoding hardware. The unified multi-coil architecture performs both data collection and spatial localization simultaneously, improving productivity without proportionally increasing overall system complexity
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 acquisition time for intravascular 3-D imaging, achieving comparable image quality to IVUS with reduced motion artifacts and higher pull-back speeds, thus enhancing the competitiveness of MRI with IVUS.
Implementation Method 1
exciting precessing nuclear spins in at least a region of the organism adjacent to the at least two coils within the organism... The response signals represent nuclear magnetic resonance signals arising from the precessing nuclear spins
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method to perform parallel MR imaging are disclosed. The system comprises an MR imaging machine and a probe having at least two MR RF reception coils. Each coil of the probe is operationally connected to a separate receiver channel of the MR imaging machine. The MR imaging machine implements a partially parallel acquisition method to excite precessing nuclear spins, in and around an internal segment of a patient into which the probe is inserted, and to use the coils of the catheter to simultaneously sample a plurality of response signals to form reduced k-space data sets for each of the coils. The plurality of response signals represent nuclear magnetic resonance signals arising from the precessing nuclear spins. The reduced k-space data sets are further processed by the MR imaging machine to generate a full volume dataset of a region in and around the vessel.