Real-time adaptive physiology synchronization and gating for steady state mr sequences

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016377693-A1
Application number	US-201415038772-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 21, 2014
Priority date	Dec 2, 2013
Publication date	Dec 29, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

The present invention is related to a method of acquiring free-breathing steady-state magnetic resonance images (MRI) and a free-breathing Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging system ( 10 ) for generating a MR image of a test subject ( 20 ) at least comprising a magnetic field unit, a control unit for controlling functions of the MR imaging system, an image processing unit and a user interface capable of receiving parameters defining a MR-pulse sequence, wherein the MR imaging system further comprises a detection unit ( 36 ) for detecting physiological activity of a test subject and a data processing unit ( 40 ) capable of performing statistical analysis of the physiological activity data and capable to adaptively tailor at least one of the parameters of the MR-pulse sequence based on the statistical analysis. This includes at least adjustment of at least the starting points and/or the duration of dummy excitations which are part of the MR-pulse sequence.

First claim

1 . Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging system for generating an MR image of a test subject, the MR imaging system 10 ) at least comprising:
a control unit for controlling functions of the MR imaging system, a user interface capable of receiving parameters defining a MR-pulse sequence, a detection unit for detecting physiological activity of the test subject and a data processing unit capable of performing statistical analysis of the physiological activity data and capable to adaptively tailor at least one of the parameters of the MR-pulse sequence based on the statistical analysis, including adjustment of at least the starting points and/or the duration of RF-dummy excitations which are part of the MR-pulse sequence.

2 . The system according to claim 1 , further comprising a magnetic field unit and an image processing unit operably coupled to the control unit.

3 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the statistical analysis of the physiological activity data comprises at least one selected from a determination of periodicity of the respiratory and cardiac cycle of a test subject.

4 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the MR-pulse sequence is a balanced steady state free precession sequence.

5 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the data processing unit is capable to tailor RF-excitation and/or the start of the data acquisition.

6 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the data processing unit is capable to tailor the k-space sampling.

7 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises a validation unit capable of validating the MR data against real-time adaptive arrhythmia rejection criteria.

8 . An adaptive steady-state free breathing magnetic resonance(MR) imaging method, the method comprising the steps of:
a) receiving user input for the definition of at least one acquisition parameter of a steady-state MR sequence, b) monitoring physiological activity of a test subject, c) analyzing the data monitored in step b), wherein analyzing includes a statistical analysis of the data monitored, d) adjusting at least one acquisition parameter of the MR sequence of step a), including adjustment of at least the starting points and/or the duration of RF-dummy excitations, according to the statistical analysis of step c), e) acquiring the MR scan of the test subject according to the parameter defined in step d), f) repeating steps b) to e) until entire k-space is acquired.

9 . The method according to claim 8 , wherein the statistical analysis in step c) at least includes the determination of the periodicity of the physiological activity.

10 . The method according to claim 8 , wherein step d) at least the number of k-space segments is adjusted.

11 . The method according to claim 8 , wherein the adjustment of the acquisition parameter in step d) is further based on input of an RF-monitor.

12 . The method according to claim 8 , wherein in an additional step the MR scan of step e) is validated against arrhythmia rejection criteria.

13 . A computer program product comprising computer executable instructions to perform the method steps as claimed in claim 8 .

14 . The computer program product according to claim 13 , wherein the computer program product is an update program product.

Assignees

• Koninklijke Philips Nv

Inventors

• Pednekar Amol
• Muthupillai Raja

Classifications

• G01R33/5676

  Gating or triggering based on an MR signal, e.g. involving one or more navigator echoes for motion monitoring and correction · CPC title

• G01R33/5673 Primary

  Gating or triggering based on a physiological signal other than an MR signal, e.g. ECG gating or motion monitoring using optical systems for monitoring the motion of a fiducial marker · CPC title

• G01R33/5614

  using a fully balanced steady-state free precession [bSSFP] pulse sequence, e.g. trueFISP · CPC title

• G01R33/546

  Interface between the MR system and the user, e.g. for controlling the operation of the MR system or for the design of pulse sequences · CPC title

• A61B5/08

  Measuring devices for evaluating the respiratory organs · CPC title