Ultrasound Sensor Array for MRI Motion Artifact Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image artifacts due to patient motion and other sources of error remain a significant challenge in medical imaging modalities like MRI and PET, with existing solutions often relying on additional hardware that may not be practical or effective, especially in cardiac imaging where ECG monitoring can be unreliable.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a plurality of single-element ultrasound sensors positioned at various spatial locations on the body to capture high-temporal-resolution data, which is then processed to generate anatomical information for real-time correction of motion artifacts in medical imaging data acquisition and reconstruction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If additional hardware (ECG electrodes, respiratory bellows) is added to monitor physiological motion, then cardiac and respiratory motion can be tracked, but device complexity increases and the system becomes more intrusive to the patient
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system uses its own received signals (MRI data) to generate navigators and track motion, rather than relying on separate monitoring devices. The system serves itself by extracting motion information from the imaging data itself, eliminating the need for external ECG electrodes, respiratory bellows, or other specialized monitoring hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The received MRI signals serve dual purposes: they are used both for generating the final diagnostic images and for generating navigators to track physiological motion. This multi-functionality allows the same hardware to perform both imaging and motion monitoring without requiring separate dedicated devices.
2Manufacturing precision
If scan duration is extended to improve image quality, then better resolution can be achieved, but patient motion during the extended period causes more artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
The system generates navigators from received signals and uses them to monitor physiological motion in real-time during the scan. This feedback mechanism allows the system to track motion throughout the extended scan duration and use the motion information to correct artifacts, enabling longer scans to be performed without degrading image quality due to motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system generates navigators continuously during the scan before final image reconstruction is complete. By having motion tracking information available in advance during the scanning process, the system can prepare for and compensate for motion artifacts before they degrade the final image quality.
3Measurement precision
If ECG monitoring is used to synchronize cardiac imaging, then cardiac phase information can be obtained, but the ECG signal may be distorted by magnetohydrodynamic effects or be too weak in some patients
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using ECG electrodes that are directly affected by magnetohydrodynamic effects, the system uses the MRI received signals as an intermediary to indirectly detect cardiac motion. The navigators generated from these signals provide cardiac phase information without being subject to the same electromagnetic interference that distorts direct ECG measurements.
4Manufacturing precision
If motion correction techniques like PROPELLER or navigators are implemented, then image artifacts can be reduced, but the processing complexity and scan time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines the imaging data acquisition and motion tracking into a single integrated process using the same received signals for both purposes. By merging the navigator generation with the standard imaging sequence and using the same data for both image formation and motion correction, the system reduces processing complexity compared to separate dedicated motion tracking systems.
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
The system effectively reduces image artifacts by providing accurate anatomical information for improved image quality, particularly in cardiac and respiratory motion correction, enhancing the reliability of medical imaging without the need for additional hardware.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of single-element ultrasound sensors may be used to capture information with high temporal resolution from different vantage points on the body
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method is provided for controlling against artifacts in medical imaging. The system includes an array of ultrasound sensors, each ultrasound sensor in the array of ultrasound sensors located at a variety of different spatial locations on a subject being imaged by an imaging system configured to generate medical imaging data and each ultrasound sensor configured to receive ultrasound sensor data. The system also includes a processor configured to receive the ultrasound sensor data from the array of ultrasound sensors, multiplex the ultrasound sensor data, generate anatomical information from the multiplexed ultrasound sensor data and correlated to the imaging system, and deliver the anatomical information to the imaging system in a form for use by the imaging system to either acquire the imaging data using the anatomical information or reconstruct the imaging data using the anatomical information.