PET-MR Protocol Adjustment for Multi-Bed Imaging Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing PET-MR systems require manual adjustment of imaging protocols to accommodate individual subject heights, which is labor-intensive and error-prone, reducing operational efficiency and increasing costs.
Innovation Solution
A protocol adjustment system that automatically adjusts PET-MR protocols using a combination list to combine MR data from multiple beds, allowing for seamless integration of PET and MR scanning tasks, and dynamically adding or removing beds based on subject height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual adjustment of imaging protocols is performed to accommodate individual subject heights, then accurate imaging coverage is achieved, but labor intensity increases and operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically adjusts the imaging protocol by self-determining the number of beds required based on subject height measurements, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The protocol adjustment system autonomously configures PET and MR scanning tasks across multiple beds, allowing the system to serve itself rather than requiring operator input for each subject.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes protocol parameters including the number of beds, scanning task assignments, and combination list configurations based on the measured subject height. This parameter adaptation ensures accurate imaging coverage for each subject while maintaining high operational efficiency through automated adjustment.
2Measurement precision
If manual adjustment of imaging protocols is performed to accommodate individual subject heights, then accurate imaging coverage is achieved, but error rate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated protocol adjustment system eliminates manual errors by self-determining the optimal number of beds and configuring scanning tasks without human intervention. The system autonomously processes subject height data and generates accurate protocol configurations, removing the source of manual errors entirely.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses real-time feedback from subject height measurements to automatically adjust protocol parameters. This closed-loop approach ensures that the protocol configuration accurately reflects the subject's anatomical dimensions, preventing errors that would occur with manual estimation or configuration.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple beds are used for PET-MR scanning, then comprehensive imaging coverage is achieved, but protocol complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the imaging protocol into discrete scanning tasks assigned to specific beds, with each bed handling a defined portion of the subject's anatomy. The combination list organizes these segmented tasks, automatically merging data from multiple beds to create a comprehensive dataset without requiring manual integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The protocol adjustment system provides universal functionality by automatically adapting the same protocol structure to any subject height and bed configuration. The system handles PET and MR scanning tasks uniformly across multiple beds using consistent rules for task assignment and data combination, reducing the perceived complexity despite the multi-bed configuration.
4Productivity
If automated protocol adjustment is implemented, then operational efficiency increases, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protocol adjustment system acts as an intermediary layer between the imaging hardware and the operator. It automatically translates subject height measurements into optimized protocol configurations, managing the complexity of multi-bed coordination internally while presenting a simple interface to users. This intermediary function handles the computational complexity of protocol optimization.
Data Source
AI summary
A positron emission tomography-magnetic resonance (PET-MR) system is provided. The PET-MR system includes an MR subsystem, a PET subsystem, and a protocol adjustment system. The protocol adjustment system includes a protocol adjustment computing device having at least one processor programmed to receive a protocol. The protocol includes a scanning task list including a PET scanning task of a bed and MR scanning tasks of the bed and to be performed simultaneously with the PET scanning task. The protocol also includes a combination list indicating MR data acquired by an MR scanning task of one bed are to be combined with MR data acquired by the same MR scanning task of another bed. The at least one processor is further programmed to adjust the protocol based on the combination list by processing the one or more MR scanning tasks based on the combination list.