System and method of user guidance in magnetic resonance imaging including operating curve feedback and multi-dimensional parameter optimization

A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus having a user interface (UI) system for interfacing with an associated user, the MRI apparatus comprising:

• a means for exciting a magnetic resonance;
• a means for detecting the magnetic resonance;
• a display device;
• a user input device;
• a processor that cooperates with the user input device to receive values for selectable parameters that define an imaging sequence and calculates minimum and maximum limit values for the selectable parameters and that also calculates values for a plurality of monitor parameter values, said monitor parameter values being determined by the processor based upon the selectable parameter values;
• a first display area on the display device for displaying a slider identifying the values of a sub-set of the selectable parameters and the minimum and maximum limit values therefor, the sub-set of selectable parameters including at least one of a T1 weighting, a T2 weighting, and a proton density weighting;
• a second display area on the display device for identifying the values of the monitor parameters;
• and
• an interaction means operating in conjunction with the user input device, whereby the associated user selectively supplies a new value by moving the slider for one of the selectable parameters, movement of the slider being constrained by the minimum and maximum limit values corresponding to the selectable parameter.

A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus having a user interface (UI) system for interfacing with an associated user, the MRI apparatus comprising:

• a means for exciting a magnetic resonance;
• a means for detecting the magnetic resonance;
• a display device;
• a user input device;
• a processor that cooperates with the user input device to receive values for selectable parameters that define an imaging sequence and calculates minimum and maximum limit values for the selectable parameters;
• a display area on the display device for identifying the values of a sub-set of the selectable parameters and the minimum and maximum limit values therefor;
• an interaction means operating in conjunction with the user input device, such that the associated user selectively supplies a new value for one of the selectable parameters;
• a master database memory containing at least one of a pre-designed sequence parameter values set, a previously run sequence parameter values set, information about previous magnetic resonance imaging sessions, and a historical customer database of sequences, and that further contains sample images corresponding to the sequence parameters sets contained in the memory;
• and
• a recall area on the display device for displaying an indication of the sequence parameter values sets stored in the master database memory along with at least one of the sample images.

A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus having a user interface (UI) system for interfacing with an associated user, the MRI apparatus comprising:

• a means for exciting a magnetic resonance;
• a means for detecting the magnetic resonance;
• a display device;
• a user input device;
• a processor that cooperates with the user input device to receive values for selectable parameters that define an imaging sequence and calculates minimum and maximum limit values for the selectable parameters, and that also calculates values for a plurality of monitor parameter values, said monitor parameter values being determined by the processor based upon the selectable parameter values;
• a first display area on the display device for identifying the values of a sub-set of the selectable parameters and the minimum and maximum limit values therefor;
• a second display area on the display device for identifying the values of the monitor parameters;
• an interaction means operating in conjunction with the user input device, such that the associated user selectively supplies a new value for one of the selectable parameters;
• and
• a UI mode selector, said UI mode selector having:
• an operational mode wherein the UI system operatively communicates with the means for exciting a magnetic resonance and with the means for detecting the magnetic resonance;
• and
• a training mode wherein the UI system does not operatively communicate with the means for exciting a magnetic resonance.

A method for providing guidance to a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus operator, the method comprising:

• calculating limit values corresponding to selectable parameters;
• calculating values for monitor parameters;
• displaying values of a sub-set of the selectable parameters that govern the MRI apparatus operation including displaying a value of a first selectable parameter on a slider;
• displaying the limit values for the sub-set of the selectable parameters including displaying a limit value corresponding to the first selectable parameter on the slider;
• displaying the calculated monitor parameter values;
• and
• receiving a new value for the first selectable parameter by moving the slider, said moving being constrained by the limit value corresponding to the first selectable parameter.

A method for providing guidance to a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus operator, the method comprising:

• calculating limit values corresponding to selectable parameters;
• calculating values for monitor parameters;
• displaying values of a sub-set of the selectable parameters that govern the MRI apparatus operation;
• displaying the limit values for the sub-set of the selectable parameters;
• displaying the calculated monitor parameter values;
• and
• plotting a curve comprising one of a desirability factor, a monitor parameter, and a selectable parameter, as a function of a domain comprising at least one selectable parameter.

A method for providing guidance to a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus operator, the method comprising:

• storing information about an imaging session in a data repository, said information including at least one of an independent parameter value, a dependent parameter value, and an image;
• displaying selected contents of the data repository;
• obtaining a selection of a stored imaging session from the user based on the displayed contents of the data repository;
• retrieving initial values for selectable parameters corresponding to the stored selected imaging session from the data repository;
• and
• remotely monitoring the data repository and analyzing the stored imaging sessions to detect MRI apparatus defects or sub-optimum imaging conditions selected by the MRI apparatus operator.

An apparatus for providing guidance to a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus operator, the apparatus comprising:

• a means for calculating limit values corresponding to selectable parameters that govern the MRI apparatus operation;
• a means for calculating values for monitor parameters;
• a display means for displaying values of a sub-set of the selectable parameters and calculated limit values therefor and for displaying the calculated monitor parameter values;
• and
• a means for plotting a curve comprising one of a desirability factor, a monitor parameter, and a selectable parameter, as a function of a domain comprising at least one selectable parameter.