Noise Reduction System and Methods for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (BIDMC 1107)

Category:    Medical Imaging

KeyWords:  Bioinformatics/Informatics;  Method;  

BIDMC ID:    1107

Abstract:

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used in medical settings to obtain noninvasive images of the body. Parallel MRI techniques currently used in many commercial MRI scanners utilize multiple receiver coils to accelerate image acquisition. At high levels of acceleration, however, substantial degradations in signal-to-noise ratio may occur. An image reconstruction algorithm developed by BIDMC investigators significantly increases signal-to-noise ratio at high accelerations, thereby facilitating high-speed parallel MRI.

Inventor:   Anand Patel

Commercial Opportunity:

The technique can be a part of a commercial software package for MR image reconstruction and processing.

Competitive Advantages:

Some current methods of noise reduction in parallel MRI data may require many hours of post-scanning processing and thus counteract some of the time-saving benefits of fast scanning. An algorithm invented by BIDMC scientists reduces the noise within seconds and thus makes possible high speed scanning with real-time noise reduction. Faster scanning (including order-of-magnitude accelerations) with reduced noise will: 1) reduce time a patient spends inside a scanner, 2) allow improved imaging of moving organs (such as the heart), 3) increase scanner throughput, etc.

Related Publications:

A.S. Patel, P.M. Robson, C.A. McKenzie, D.K. Sodickson. A Simple Noniterative Principal Component Technique for Rapid Noise Reduction in Parallel MR Images. Joint Annual Conference ISMRM/ESMRMB, Berlin, Germany. May 2007. (Abstract)

State of Development:

The method was tested on simulation images, phantom objects, and real human brain data. Additional in vivo experiments on human brain and other parts of the body are in progress. Technology licensing opportunities are available.

Related Technology URL:

Patent Status:

US Provisional Application # 60/930774

TVO Contact Info:
     Catherine M Lenich
     Senior Associate TVO
     clenich@bidmc.harvard.edu
     Phone: 617-667-0568   Fax: 617-667-0646

     Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
     Technology Ventures Office  Room: BR-0200
     330 Brookline Avenue
     Boston, MA 02215