Physiological Monitoring for Functional PET Imaging Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Functional PET imaging is affected by physiological and behavioral states of the subject, leading to increased tracer uptake in non-target regions and decreased image contrast, making image interpretation challenging due to variables like anxiety, movement, and food consumption.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that incorporate physiological and behavioral state monitoring to adapt scan protocols, correct image data, and provide supplemental information to account for the impact of these states on tracer uptake, using data from monitors like heart rate and movement detectors to adjust and correct image data in real-time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the patient remains still during the scan, then image quality is improved, but patient comfort and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidpatient comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors physiological parameters (heart rate, respiration, movement) and uses this feedback to detect physiological states that may affect tracer uptake. The system provides real-time guidance to patients through the interface, allowing them to adjust their behavior to maintain optimal imaging conditions while remaining comfortable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical restraint systems with a monitoring and guidance system. Instead of physically constraining the patient, the system uses sensors to detect physiological states and provides electronic guidance through the interface, substituting mechanical control with information-based control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Use of energy by moving object

If the patient consumes sugar-containing food or beverage before the scan, then energy supply is improved, but tracer uptake accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy supplyVSAvoidtracer uptake accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary assessment of the patient's physiological state before the scan using the interface. It detects whether the patient has consumed sugar-containing substances and provides advance guidance to avoid such consumption before the scan, preventing the issue rather than correcting it during imaging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system monitors dietary intake through the interface and provides feedback to the patient about how food consumption affects tracer uptake. This feedback loop enables patients to understand the relationship between their dietary choices and imaging accuracy, allowing them to make appropriate decisions before the scan.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of information

If the patient experiences anxiety, then emotional state is captured, but heart rate increases and metabolism increases, affecting tracer uptake

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemotional state informationVSAvoidtracer uptake measurement

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system monitors physiological parameters including heart rate through the interface and uses this feedback to detect anxiety and other emotional states. By continuously tracking these parameters, the system can identify when a patient is experiencing anxiety and provide guidance to help manage it, preventing the associated metabolic effects from compromising tracer uptake measurements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Ease of operation

If the patient moves around during the scan, then comfort is improved, but muscle metabolism increases and image contrast decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient comfortVSAvoidimage contrast

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses movement sensors and physiological monitoring to detect patient movement and provide real-time feedback through the interface. This allows patients to understand how movement affects image quality while maintaining comfort, enabling them to adjust their behavior voluntarily without feeling restrained.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 enhances the accuracy of PET imaging by accounting for subject-specific physiological and behavioral factors, improving image contrast and interpretation by adjusting scan protocols and correcting image data based on monitored states.

Implementation Method 1

The taken up FDG undergoes radioactive decay and produces positrons

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadioactive decay: Radioactive Decay

Implementation Method 2

When such a positron interacts with an electron in a positron annihilation event, a coincident pair of 511 keV gamma rays is generated

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPositron annihilation:

Data Source

PatentUS8897518B2Functional imaging

Publication Date: 2014.11.25 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

AI summary

A method includes obtaining an image of a region of interest of a subject, wherein the image is generated with image data produced by an imaging system used to scan the subject, obtaining a signal indicative of a physiological state of the subject before the scan, and displaying both the image and data indicative of the physiological state. In another aspect, a method includes correcting, via a processor, a tracer uptake value for a target region of interest based on a tracer uptake correction factor.