Sub-Visual Tagging for MRI Organ Characterization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional magnetic resonance imaging techniques require time-intensive processes and low temporal resolution for determining organ characteristics, often necessitating multiple scans and affecting diagnostic quality due to visible tagging patterns.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a magnetic resonance scanner with a tagging module that generates sub-visual tags, allowing for flexible and precise determination of organ characteristics through temporally resolved data analysis without influencing diagnostic image quality, using sub-visual tagging patterns that are not detectable to the human eye.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional tagging methods are used to determine organ characteristics, then temporal resolution is improved, but scan time increases and diagnostic quality deteriorates due to visible tagging patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the tagging pattern visibility parameter - transitioning from visible tagging patterns to sub-visual tagging patterns. This is achieved by adjusting the tagging parameters (such as tag spacing, contrast level, or pattern intensity) to a range that is detectable by computer analysis algorithms but not visible to the human eye, thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving temporal resolution and maintaining diagnostic quality
2Measurement precision
If multiple scans are performed to determine organ characteristics, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single scan protocol that simultaneously achieves multiple objectives: it provides temporally resolved data for motion analysis, maintains diagnostic quality through sub-visual tagging, and eliminates the need for multiple separate scans. The sub-visual tagging pattern serves dual purposes - enabling computer-based motion detection while preserving anatomical contrast for diagnosis, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and time loss
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If visible tagging patterns are used, then organ deformation can be detected, but diagnostic quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by shifting the tagging pattern from visible to sub-visual range. This is achieved by adjusting parameters such as tag contrast, spacing, or intensity to levels that computer algorithms can detect but that do not interfere with anatomical visualization. This resolves the contradiction by enabling deformation detection while preserving diagnostic quality
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 efficient and precise determination of organ characteristics with reduced scan time, improved patient comfort, and cost-effectiveness, while maintaining clinically relevant contrast and diagnostic quality.
Implementation Method 1
In magnetic resonance imaging, the body of a subject to be examined using a magnetic resonance scanner, in particular a patient, is exposed to a relatively high basic magnetic field of for example, 1.5 or 3 or 7 Tesla, generated by a basic field magnet. In addition, gradient fields are created with the use of a gradient coil arrangement. Then, using appropriate antennas, radio-frequency pulses, such as excitation pulses, are radiated by a radio-frequency antenna, which leads to the nuclear spins of certain atoms that have been resonantly excited by these radio-frequency pulses being tilted by a defined flip angle with respect to the magnetic field lines of the basic magnetic field.
Implementation Method 2
During the relaxation of these nuclear spins, radio-frequency signals referred to as magnetic resonance signals are emitted, and are received by appropriate radio-frequency antennas and then further processed.
Data Source
AI summary
In a magnetic resonance method and apparatus for determining a characteristic of an organ, a magnetic resonance sequence is executed in order to acquire temporally resolved magnetic resonance data pertaining to the organ. The magnetic resonance sequence includes at least one tagging module, which generates a sub-visual tag of the magnetic resonance data. The characteristic of the organ is determined in a processor using the sub-visual tag.