US 10,517,509 B2 · Assessment of the lung parenchyma by means of magnetic resonance images

Abstract

A method for the assessment of the lung parenchyma in a human or an animal is indicated using a series of magnetic resonance (MR) images of the lung parenchyma acquired at different breathing positions in the same human or animal. The method comprises at least the steps of a.) estimating a change of the lung volume VL between the different breathing positions, b.) determining a signal intensity SI({right arrow over (x)}i) in at least one same region or position {right arrow over (x)}i of the lung parenchyma for each of the MR images, and c.) determining at least one respiratory index α({right arrow over (x)}i) according to the formula α ⁡ ( x → i ) = - d ⁡ ( log ⁡ ( SI ⁡ ( x → i ) ) ) d ⁡ ( log ⁡ ( V L ) ) . ( Fig . ⁢ 2 )

Claims19

Dependent claims

A method for the assessment of the lung parenchyma in a human or an animal using a series of magnetic resonance (MR) images of the lung parenchyma acquired at different breathing positions in the same human or animal, comprising the following steps:

a.) estimating a change of a lung volume VL between the different breathing positions;
b.) determining a signal intensity SI({right arrow over (x)}i) in at least one region or position {right arrow over (x)}i of the lung parenchyma for each image of the series of MR images, the at least one region or position {right arrow over (x)}i of the lung parenchyma being the same for each image of the series of MR images;
c.) determining at least one respiratory index α({right arrow over (x)}i) according to the formula
α
⁡
(
x
→
i
)
=
-
d
⁡
(
log
⁡
(
SI
⁡
(
x
→
i
)
)
)
d
⁡
(
log
⁡
(
V
L
)
)
;
and
d.) assessing the function of the lung parenchyma at a plurality of respective regions or positions {right arrow over (x)}i of the lung based on the determined at least one respiratory index α({right arrow over (x)}i).

37 more elements

A computer program product for the assessment of the lung parenchyma in a human or an animal, the computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising executable instructions to cause a processor of a computer to carry out the following steps by means of a series of magnetic resonance (MR) images of the lung parenchyma acquired at different breathing positions in the same human or animal:

i.) determining a signal intensity SI({right arrow over (x)}i) in at least one region or position {right arrow over (x)}i of the lung parenchyma for each image of the series of MR images, the at least one region or position {right arrow over (x)}i of the lung parenchyma being the same for each image of the series of MR images;
and
ii.) determining at least one respiratory index α({right arrow over (x)}i) according to the formula
α
⁡
(
x
→
i
)
=
-
d
⁡
(
log
⁡
(
SI
⁡
(
x
→
i
)
)
)
d
⁡
(
log
⁡
(
V
L
)
)
,
wherein VL denotes a lung volume for each of the different breathing positions.

36 more elements

A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system comprising:

a main magnet for generating a main magnetic field at a location of a sample to be imaged, in order to at least partly align nuclear spins of the sample;
an excitation module for applying radio frequency (RF) pulses to the sample, in order to repeatedly excite the nuclear spins of the sample;
a gradient module for generating temporary magnetic gradient fields at a location of the sample;
an acquisition module for acquiring the magnetic resonance signals produced by excited nuclear spins of the sample;
a control module configured for controlling the excitation module, the gradient module and the acquisition module such, that a series of MR images of the lung parenchyma of a human or an animal can be acquired at different breathing positions;
and
an analysis module being configured for determining a signal intensity SI({right arrow over (x)}i) in at least one region or position {right arrow over (x)}i of the lung parenchyma for each image of the series of MR images, the at least one region or position {right arrow over (x)}i of the lung parenchyma being the same for each image of the series of MR images, and being configured for determining at least one respiratory index α({right arrow over (x)}i) according to the formula
α
⁡
(
x
→
i
)
=
-
d
⁡
(
log
⁡
(
SI
⁡
(
x
→
i
)
)
)
d
⁡
(
log
⁡
(
V
L
)
)
,
wherein VL denotes a lung volume for each of the different breathing positions.

40 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Assessment of the lung parenchyma by means of magnetic resonance images

Life of this patent

Assessment of the lung parenchyma by means of magnetic resonance images

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19