SpinTech MRI, creators of the STAGE (STrategically Acquired Gradient Echo) quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) software platform, and Canon Medical Systems USA, Inc., a commercial subsidiary of Canon Medical Systems Corporation, a global leader in innovative diagnostic imaging technology, have announced the development of a fully quantitative fast MRI solution for clinical use, combining MR physics and AI-based deep learning reconstruction to generate 3D brain images with greater clarity and contrast. A fully quantitative MRI solution for clinical use provides multiparametric maps, allowing for quantitative measures of tissue properties, including parameters like T1, T2, and Proton density.
The collaboration evaluated the performance of Canon Advanced intelligent Clear-IQ Engine (AiCE) Deep Learning Reconstruction (DLR) technology combined with STAGE for accelerated acquisition of ground-truth data and generation of high-quality 3D brain images with increased signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) using a 1.5T Canon Medical Systems scanner.
Results demonstrated that the combined solution had significant potential to expand MRI availability for clinical neuroimaging with significantly shorter exams while giving clinical neuroradiologists high-quality images and quantitative outputs for confident and efficient interpretation. It could help health systems meet surging demand amid staff shortages, radiologist burnout and other challenges. Shorter exams also can increase patient comfort and reduce sedation rates, imaging backlogs and health systems financial pressures.
“Our results demonstrated the feasibility of using the combined AiCE DLR-STAGE method for accelerated exams on a 1.5T scanner with 3T- enhanced resolution for gray matter/white matter contrast and 3D quantitative outputs in clinical practice,” said Mo Kadbi, PhD, Medical Affairs Leader – MRI at Canon Medical Systems USA. “It also has the potential to expand scanner access with much shorter exams and assure radiologists that they have the information they need for confident and efficient interpretation.”
Acquisition of two 3D multi-echo gradient echo sequences used parallel imaging and 3D k-space under-sampling, then reconstruction with conventional techniques and AiCE DLR. Data were then post-processed with STAGE to generate five quantitative maps and seven clinical contrasts. SNR and corresponding image clarity and contrast using the combined AiCE DLR-STAGE approach were better than conventional reconstruction. Moreover, the combined solution enabled significantly faster exams, greater efficiency gains and better image clarity and detail than either AiCE DLR or STAGE alone.
Conventional “fast MRI” techniques that use subsampled data acquired during shorter exams and AI-generated synthetic data to improve image quality show promise in some clinical areas. However, concerns about performance and accuracy in clinical neuroimaging limit their adoption.
“AiCE DLR technology overcomes the drawbacks of conventional reconstruction by accelerating acquisition and removing image noise more effectively to generate sharp, clear and distinct images,” said Karen Holzberger. CEO of SpinTech MRI. “STAGE multiplies those benefits with additional time-savings to increase scanner availability and reduce backlogs, and high-quality 3D images and workflow-integrated quantitative outputs for diagnostic confidence.”
STAGE post-processing software is designed to enhance MRI data acquisition and potentially reduce brain exam duration. It generates images with improved clarity and grey matter/white matter contrast and increased signal-to-noise ratio. The software quickly integrates with existing PACS and 1.5T and 3T scanners and requires no changes to reading and reporting workflows. STAGE also provides practical and intuitive access to quantitative outputs such as QSM and T1 maps for better detection of neurological disease biomarkers.
“This is an excellent example of how health system administrators, radiologists and technology vendors can collaborate to create effective solutions for challenges we face today,” said Dr. James W. Backstrom, MD, a neuroradiologist, STAGE user and CMO at Armstrong County Memorial Hospital in Pennsylvania, who initiated the development project. “I’ve been impressed with SpinTech MRI’s capabilities and Canon’s strength in advancing imaging technology and outcomes, both of which aligned with our own long-standing commitment to innovation. We believe the combined STAGE-AiCE solution can quickly produce meaningful improvements in operational efficiency and patient outcomes at health systems of any size.”
