Multi-purpose Phantom for Ultra High Field MRI Evaluation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current phantoms for evaluating MRI apparatuses, particularly those for small animals, face limitations in temporal efficiency and are not suitable for simultaneous performance evaluation of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS), with existing phantoms being primarily designed for human MRI systems.
Innovation Solution
A multi-purpose phantom for ultra high field MRI apparatuses, featuring an outer container with injection holes for liver and lipid components, an inner container for quantitative evaluation using spin echo sequences, geometric accuracy, slice position, contrast resolution, spatial resolution, and brain metabolite evaluation apparatuses, designed to operate with small animal MRI systems, allowing simultaneous evaluation of MRI and MRS performance within predetermined error and limit ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a standard human MRI phantom is used for evaluation, then the evaluation protocol is standardized and accurate, but the phantom is not suitable for small animal MRI systems and lacks temporal efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The phantom design incorporates adjustable parameters including variable metabolite concentrations, different lipid compositions, and configurable geometric structures that can be modified to match specific small animal species and imaging protocols, enabling the same phantom to adapt to different ultra high field MRI systems while maintaining evaluation accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The phantom integrates multiple evaluation functions into a single device, including MRI performance evaluation (spatial resolution, contrast resolution, geometric accuracy), MRS performance evaluation (metabolite quantification, spectral quality), and temporal efficiency assessment, making it universally applicable to both MRI and MRS modalities in small animal imaging
2Measurement precision
If separate phantoms are used for MRI and MRS evaluation, then each evaluation can be specialized, but the temporal efficiency is reduced due to multiple evaluation steps
Solution Approach 1:
The phantom combines MRI evaluation structures (geometric accuracy targets, resolution phantoms) and MRS evaluation components (metabolite-containing compartments, spectral reference markers) into a single integrated device, allowing simultaneous acquisition of both MRI images and MRS spectra from the same physical object in one imaging session
Solution Approach 2:
The phantom employs a nested structure where an inner container holding MRS-active metabolites is positioned within an outer container containing MRI evaluation structures, allowing both evaluation modalities to access different regions of the same nested assembly without requiring separate phantoms
3Measurement precision
If existing MRS phantoms are used, then MRS evaluation can be performed, but the temporal efficiency is low and the phantom is limited to human MRI apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The phantom incorporates metabolite concentrations, relaxation times, and spectral characteristics that can be adjusted to match different small animal species and ultra high field strengths, enabling rapid optimization for specific applications without requiring completely different phantom designs
Solution Approach 2:
The phantom includes pre-prepared metabolite solutions with known concentrations and compositions, as well as pre-configured geometric structures, allowing evaluation to begin immediately upon placement in the MRI system without requiring time-consuming setup or preparation steps
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
The phantom enables comprehensive performance evaluation of ultra high field MRI systems, improving temporal efficiency and accuracy in diagnostic capabilities, enhancing the reliability of MRI and MRS assessments for small animal studies by minimizing artifacts and optimizing voxel positioning.
Implementation Method 1
The Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) uses a nuclear magnetic resonance principle as one of imaging techniques. That is, if a human body is put into a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) apparatus generating a magnetic field and a high frequency is generated, hydrogen nuclei of the human body resonate
Implementation Method 2
acquiring an MRI image using a spin echo sequence
Data Source
AI summary
A new multi-purpose phantom evaluates the performance of an ultra high field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) apparatus. The phantom can assess a degree of diagnostic capability of an MRI apparatus using imaging conditions and variables and simultaneously analyze and evaluate performance of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), performance of Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) and metabolic components of a human body within a predetermined range of error and limit.