Single-Sided MRI System for Culturally Sensitive Breast Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional breast imaging systems face challenges in efficiently imaging breast tissue with cultural sensitivity and comfort, particularly in populations where disrobing is culturally prohibited, and they often struggle with achieving high spatial resolution and signal-to-noise ratio without causing nerve stimulation.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus using a single-sided or multi-sided MRI system with electro-permanent magnets and ultra-fast gradient pulses, allowing for breast tissue compression without disrobing, and enabling high spatial resolution and signal-to-noise ratio imaging with rapid magnetic gradient pulses and pre-polarizing coils, while being lightweight and portable for use in remote locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional breast imaging systems are used, then imaging can be performed, but the subject must disrobe which violates cultural prohibitions and reduces comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the breast tissue imaging function from the conventional full-body MRI system by using a portable, single-sided MRI system that images only the breast tissue while the subject remains clothed. This allows culturally sensitive imaging without requiring disrobing, resolving the contradiction between cultural adaptability and subject comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a compression device as an intermediary between the breast tissue and the MRI coils. This mediator enables proper tissue positioning and imaging quality while allowing the subject to remain clothed, thus maintaining both cultural sensitivity and subject comfort.
2Measurement precision
If high spatial resolution and signal-to-noise ratio are achieved through conventional MRI, then imaging quality improves, but nerve stimulation occurs due to strong magnetic gradients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic, pulsed magnetic gradients instead of continuous strong gradients. The ultra-fast gradient pulses are applied intermittently during the imaging sequence, which reduces cumulative nerve stimulation while maintaining the necessary signal strength for high spatial resolution imaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic, ultra-fast gradient pulses that are optimized in duration and amplitude. By making the gradients transient and highly controlled rather than static and continuous, the system achieves high measurement precision without causing harmful nerve stimulation.
3Measurement precision
If conventional MRI systems are used, then imaging can be performed, but the process is time-consuming and subjects experience motion artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary compression to the breast tissue before imaging begins. This pre-positioning of the tissue eliminates motion during the imaging process, preventing motion artifacts and reducing the need for repeated scans, thereby reducing total imaging time while maintaining image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses ultra-fast gradient pulses that rapidly acquire the necessary imaging data in a shortened time window. By rushing through the data acquisition process with high-speed gradients, the system captures sufficient signal before subject motion can occur, reducing imaging time and motion artifacts.
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
Enables rapid, comfortable, and culturally sensitive breast tissue imaging with high spatial resolution and signal-to-noise ratio, reducing motion artifacts and allowing for visualization of small calcifications and malignant cell characterization, suitable for guiding biopsies and interventions.
Implementation Method 1
MRI system with electro-permanent magnets
Implementation Method 2
ultra-fast gradient pulses
Implementation Method 3
pre-polarizing coils
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed embodiments provide an apparatus and method for imaging breast tissue of a subject, wherein a subject is positioned on a structure so that at least a portion of the subject's body is supported by the structure, magnetic resonance imaging is performed on the portion of the subject's body using an MRI system including a plurality of MRI coils positioned in proximity to the structure, wherein, while the portion of the subject's body is positioned upon the structure, breast tissue of the subject's body is compressed in the proximity of plurality of MRI coils.