RF Pulse Waveform Determination via Reciprocity in MRI

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Solution Overview

Problem

Magnetic resonance methods require significant time and computing effort, and are sensitive to external interference such as field inhomogeneities, which can lead to inaccurate selective excitations.

Innovation Solution

A method using the principles of reciprocity and time invariance to convert the inversion problem into a simpler form, allowing for the direct determination of high-frequency pulses that are insensitive to interference and can be computed efficiently, even with multiple excitation channels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional magnetic resonance methods are used for selective excitation, then spatial selectivity can be achieved, but significant time and computational resources are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveselective excitation accuracyVSAvoidcomputation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by formulating the selective excitation problem as an inverse problem. Instead of directly calculating the RF pulse waveform to achieve desired spatial selectivity, the method uses the reciprocity principle to relate the excitation problem to a signal acquisition problem. This inversion transforms a computationally intensive forward problem into a more efficiently solvable inverse problem, reducing computation time while maintaining excitation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs the reciprocity principle to create a mathematical copy of the excitation problem in the form of an equivalent signal acquisition problem. By solving this copied inverse problem, the desired RF pulse waveforms are obtained without directly solving the original complex forward excitation equations, thereby reducing computational resources and time requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If conventional magnetic resonance methods are used for selective excitation, then spatial selectivity can be achieved, but the methods require significant computational effort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveselective excitation accuracyVSAvoidcomputational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by formulating the selective excitation problem as an inverse problem. Instead of directly calculating the RF pulse waveform to achieve desired spatial selectivity, the method uses the reciprocity principle to relate the excitation problem to a signal acquisition problem. This inversion transforms a computationally intensive forward problem into a more efficiently solvable inverse problem, reducing computational resources and time requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs the reciprocity principle to create a mathematical copy of the excitation problem in the form of an equivalent signal acquisition problem. By solving this copied inverse problem, the desired RF pulse waveforms are obtained without directly solving the original complex forward excitation equations, thereby reducing computational resources and time requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If conventional magnetic resonance methods are used for selective excitation, then excitation patterns can be generated, but the methods are sensitive to external interference such as field inhomogeneities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexcitation pattern accuracyVSAvoidrobustness to field inhomogeneities
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by formulating the selective excitation problem as an inverse problem. Instead of directly calculating the RF pulse waveform to achieve desired spatial selectivity, the method uses the reciprocity principle to relate the excitation problem to a signal acquisition problem. This inversion transforms a computationally intensive forward problem into a more efficiently solvable inverse problem, reducing computation time while maintaining excitation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 results in robust, quick, and accurate selective excitations that are insensitive to field inhomogeneities and relaxation, enabling efficient magnetic resonance imaging with reduced computational effort.

Implementation Method 1

A method using the principles of reciprocity and time invariance to convert the inversion problem into a simpler form

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReciprocity principle:

Implementation Method 2

A method using the principles of reciprocity and time invariance to convert the inversion problem into a simpler form

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTime invariance:

Implementation Method 3

magnetic resonance methods require significant time and computing effort

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic resonance:

Implementation Method 4

The fundamental principles of spatially resolved nuclear magnetic resonance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNuclear magnetic resonance:

Data Source

PatentEP2676151B1Determination of the waveform of rf-pulses for selective excitation in MRI
Publication Date: 2023.04.05 SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBH
  • EP2676151B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2676151B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2676151B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a magnetic resonance method, wherein high-frequency pulses and magnetic gradients (gx, gy, gz) are produced in order to selectively excite an object to be examined. According to the invention, the magnetic resonance method is characterized in that a magnetic resonance signal s(t) is produced according to the following signal equation: (I), wherein (II) denotes a desired transverse magnetization after the selective excitation, t denotes a time, (III) denotes a position vector, and T denotes a duration of a pulse, wherein s(t) denotes a magnetic resonance signal, V denotes an examination volume, T 2 denotes a transverse relaxation time, and ? s denotes a shift of the resonance frequency. The invention further relates to a magnetic resonance tomograph for carrying out the magnetic resonance method.