A Smart Assistant for MRI Technologists

摘要 磁共振成像(MRI)是至关重要的儿科护理和不可用的数据 据估计，仅在美国，患者动议每年就要花费14亿美元。目前，一名放射科医生 评估图像是否令人满意，但由MRI技术专家进行成像和协调 两者之间的沟通既昂贵又缓慢。我们建议开发一种监控运动的设备 在MRI扫描期间，不会产生MRI伪影，也不会对对象造成负担。我们建议开发 并评估基于与MRI兼容的MEMS技术的设备，该设备将测量运动并允许MRI 技术专家介入，通过提醒受试者保持静止来改善图像质量，并评估最终结果 与所获取的成像数据相关联的图像质量。这将节省宝贵的成像时间并减少 通过提高诊断质量图像的比率来降低成本，并通过协助磁共振技术专家 确定图像是否足够，或者是否需要重复。在这个第一阶段的研究中，我们将开发和 验证MRI兼容陀螺仪和MRI兼容磁场传感器，这两者结合在一起 与现有的MRI兼容的加速度计将允许将设备快速校准到MRI 坐标系和六自由度运动的传感。Biopac目前制造和销售一种 与MRI兼容的加速度计。我们将开发一种与MRI兼容的陀螺仪和磁强计，以及 与当前加速度计具有相同外形尺寸的MRI兼容加速度计/陀螺仪。这个 传感器测量将通过现有的Biopac MP160硬件转换为数字信号 界面。我们将编写一个软件界面，使每个传感器都能与Biopac AcqKnowledge一起使用 数据采集软件。然后这些传感器将被测试它们在临床3T中安全运行的能力 MRI环境，测试其不会因RF干扰或磁性而产生伪影的能力 敏感度的变化，并测试核磁共振传感器测量的准确性。

Abstract Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is critically important for pediatric care and the unusable data caused by patient motion has been estimated to cost $1.4B per year in the United States alone. Currently, a radiologist assesses if the images are satisfactory or not, but an MRI technologist does the imaging, and coordination of communication between the two is costly and slow. We propose to develop a device that monitors motion during an MRI scan without creating an MRI artifact or posing a burden to the subject. We propose to develop and assess a device based on MRI compatible MEMS technology that will measure motion and allow an MRI technologist to intervene to improve image quality by reminding the subject to hold still, and to assess the final image quality associated with the imaging data acquired. This will save valuable imaging time and reduce costs by improving the rate of diagnostic quality images, and save time by assisting the MR technologist to decide if the images are sufficient or if they need to be repeated. In this Phase I study, we will develop and validate an MRI compatible gyroscope and an MRI compatible magnetic field sensor, which in combination with an existing MRI compatible accelerometer will allow for rapid calibration of the device to the MRI coordinate system and the sensing of six degree of freedom motion. BIOPAC currently makes and sells an MRI compatible accelerometer. We will develop an MRI compatible gyroscope and magnetometer and a combined MRI compatible accelerometer/gyroscope in the same form factor as the current accelerometer. The sensor measurements will be converted to a digital signal through the existing BIOPAC MP160 hardware interface. We will write a software interface to enable each sensor to be used with the BIOPAC AcqKnowledge data acquisition software. These sensors will then be tested for their ability to operate safely in a clinical 3T MRI environment, tested for their ability to not create artifacts due to either RF interference or magnetic susceptibility changes, and tested for the accuracy of the sensor measurements in the MRI.