Accelerated Multi-Contrast PROPELLER MRI via K-Space Blade Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current PROPELLER MRI techniques require a long time to acquire multi-contrast images due to the need for separate scans with different parameters, such as echo time (TE) and repetition time (TR), which increases scan time without significantly reducing image quality.
Innovation Solution
The method involves sampling k-space using radially directed blades, acquiring subsets of blades for different contrasts, and combining these subsets with high-frequency components to produce images, allowing for accelerated acquisition of multi-contrast images while maintaining image quality through data processing and neural network reconstruction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate PROPELLER sequences with different scan parameters are performed for each contrast, then image quality is maintained, but scan time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the acquisition process by dividing blades into different subsets (first subset for first contrast, second subset for second contrast) and acquiring them with different scan parameters. This allows parallel or interleaved acquisition of multiple contrasts without requiring complete separate scans, thereby reducing total scan time while maintaining image quality through selective combination of blade subsets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple blade subsets acquired with different scan parameters into unified multi-contrast images. By merging the first subset of blades with the second subset of blades and their respective high frequency components, the system produces multiple contrast images from a single integrated acquisition process, eliminating the need for separate scans and reducing overall scan time.
2Loss of information
If multiple PROPELLER sequences are performed for different contrasts, then comprehensive diagnostic information is obtained, but the number of scan sequences increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by using a single PROPELLER acquisition framework that can simultaneously or interleavedly acquire multiple contrast types (T1-weighted, T2-weighted, FLAIR, etc.) by varying scan parameters across different blade subsets. This universal approach allows one scanning protocol to serve multiple diagnostic purposes, maintaining comprehensive diagnostic information while improving scan efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes scan parameters (such as echo time TE and repetition time TR) across different blade subsets to generate different tissue contrasts. By systematically varying these parameters within a single acquisition session rather than performing separate scans, the system maintains diverse diagnostic information while significantly improving scanning productivity and reducing overall examination time.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for accelerated multi-contrast PROPELLER are disclosed herein. K-space is sampled in a rotating fashion using a plurality of radially directed blades around a center of k-space. A first subset of blades is acquired for a first contrast and a second subset of blades is acquired for a second contrasts. The first subset of blades is combined with high frequency components of the second subset of blades to produce an image of the first contrast. And the second subset of blades are combined with high frequency components of the first subset of blades to produce an image of the second contrast.