Mri image improvement aids diagnosis - Isis Project No 3531

A new method for correcting image intensity variations in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) speeds diagnosis and lowers cost without loss of clinical information.

The Oxford Invention

Intensity variations in MRI images cause the same tissue to have brightness variations across the image. This is evident in the original image of a spinal scan shown below. In severe cases this can result in

• ineffective image registration and segmentation,
• inefficient use of the radiologist’s time and
• delayed diagnosis.

Current methods to correct the image based on a series of body and surface coil calibration images require excessive scan time or achieve little improvement. Two such methods have been used to produce the second and third images below from the original image. The Oxford invention uses a new approach which requires minimal increase in scan and processing time and reduces the need for on-screen image manipulation by the radiologist. This approach does not remove any clinically important information as demonstrated by the image produced by the Oxford method shown below.

Marketing Opportunity

The technique has been tested on a variety of MRI configurations and anatomies and could be implemented on existing 1.5 T and new 3.0 T MRI systems.

Patent Status

The Oxford invention is the subject of a patent application in the USA. Isis would like to talk to companies interested in developing the commercial opportunity. Please contact the Isis Project Manager.

Request Further Information: Project Number 3531 MRI Image Improvement Aids Diagnosis