Sleep State Control During MRI Examinations for Motion Artifact Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Subjects falling asleep during medical procedures, particularly MRI scans, can cause motion artifacts and disrupt image quality, and waking them up can be cumbersome and startle-inducing, affecting the examination's efficiency and quality.
Innovation Solution
A system that monitors a subject's sleep/wake state using physiological parameters and adjusts environmental factors like lighting, sound, and system adjustments to either facilitate sleep or wakefulness as required, and the system adjusts parameters such as ventilation, room temperature, and medical equipment settings to maintain the desired sleep or wakefulness state, ensuring the subject remains in the appropriate state for the procedure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the subject is allowed to sleep during the procedure to improve comfort, then subject comfort is improved, but motion artifacts increase and image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the subject's environment (lighting, temperature, ventilation) and entertainment content based on real-time detection of sleep status and procedural requirements, enabling the subject to transition between wakeful and sleeping states as needed during different phases of the examination
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors physiological parameters (heart rate, breathing rate, body temperature) to detect sleep status and uses this feedback to automatically adjust environmental conditions and entertainment content, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains optimal subject state
2Manufacturing precision
If the subject is kept awake during the procedure to maintain image quality, then image quality is maintained, but subject comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows the subject to sleep during portions of the procedure where motion is acceptable, then dynamically transitions the subject to a wakeful state when high-quality imaging is required, optimizing both comfort and image quality across different procedural phases
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic cycles of wakeful and sleeping states, alternating between phases where the subject is kept awake for imaging quality and phases where the subject is allowed to sleep for comfort, synchronized with the procedural schedule
3Adaptability or versatility
If the examiner manually wakes the subject during the procedure, then the subject can comply with instructions, but the procedure time increases and workflow efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically manages the subject's wake/sleep transitions by detecting sleep status and adjusting environmental conditions and entertainment content, eliminating the need for examiner intervention and allowing the subject to self-regulate their alertness state
Solution Approach 2:
The system proactively transitions the subject from sleep to wakeful state before instructions are needed, using gradual environmental adjustments and entertainment content to ensure the subject is alert and compliant by the time procedural requirements demand it
4Adaptability or versatility
If the subject is suddenly woken up during the procedure, then the subject can follow instructions, but subject stress increases and motion artifacts worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system gradually transitions the subject from sleep to wakeful state using progressive environmental adjustments (increasing light, temperature, ventilation) and entertainment content before instructions are needed, cushioning against sudden awakening and reducing stress and motion
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a system and method for managing a subject's sleep state during a medical examination. In particular, the present disclosure may provide systems and methods for monitoring a subject's sleep state and adjusting the operation parameters of a subject guidance and entertainment system based on the subject's current sleep state and a target sleep state. Disclosed embodiments thus enable the automatic adjustment of the subject's environment to either facilitate sleep or wakefulness. This may be particularly beneficial during lengthy medical procedures, such as MRI scans, where subjects often fall asleep.