IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,529,740
Granted Patent B2
US 12,529,740 · App. 18/370,872 · Granted Jan 20, 2026

Method for operating a magnetic resonance apparatus, magnetic resonance apparatus, and computer program product

Inventors: Flavio Carinci (Würzburg, DE); Dominik Paul (Bubenreuth, DE)
Assignee: Siemens Healthineers AG
G01R33/543G01R33/3614
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,529,740
App. No.
18/370,872
Granted
Jan 20, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for operating a magnetic resonance apparatus, a magnetic resonance apparatus, and a computer program product are provided. According to the method, an initial MR scan protocol is provided. At least one boundary condition, such as a performance-limiting boundary condition, that is dependent on the patient and/or the MR apparatus is provided. Based on the initial MR scan protocol, at least two sub-protocols are generated. Each of the at least two sub-protocols is checked as to whether the at least one boundary condition is complied with when the respective sub-protocol is applied.

Claims (37)

1 . A method for checking a magnetic resonance (MR) scan protocol, the method being computer-implemented and comprising:

providing an initial MR scan protocol;

providing at least one boundary condition;

generating at least two sub-protocols based on the initial MR scan protocol; and

checking each of the at least two sub-protocols as to whether the at least one boundary condition is complied with when the respective sub-protocol is applied.

2 . A magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus comprising:

a processor configured to:

provide an initial MR scan protocol;

provide at least one boundary condition;

generate at least two sub-protocols based on the initial MR scan protocol; and

check each of the at least two sub-protocols as to whether the at least one boundary condition is complied with when the respective sub-protocol is applied.

3 . In a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions executable by one or more processors to check a magnetic resonance (MR) scan protocol, the instructions comprising:

providing an initial MR scan protocol;

providing at least one boundary condition;

generating at least two sub-protocols based on the initial MR scan protocol; and

checking each of the at least two sub-protocols as to whether the at least one boundary condition is complied with when the respective sub-protocol is applied.

4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising when, based on the checking, the at least one boundary condition for a sub-protocol of the at least two sub-protocols is not complied with:

adapting the sub-protocol so that the at least one boundary condition is complied with when the sub-protocol is applied.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one boundary condition comprises a performance limit of a radio-frequency amplifier of the MR apparatus.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one boundary condition comprises a performance limit of a gradient coil unit of the MR apparatus, a maximum specific absorption rate of a patient, a maximum stimulation of the patient, or any combination thereof.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least two sub-protocols comprise a sub-protocol for recording reference data, and

wherein the reference data is suitable for performing an MR acceleration technique.

8 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

generating a final MR scan protocol based on the at least two sub-protocols that have been checked.

9 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

recording MR data from the patient according to the at least two sub-protocols that have been checked.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein generating the at least two sub-protocols based on the initial MR scan protocol and the checking of each of the at least two sub-protocols as to whether the at least one boundary condition is complied with when the respective sub-protocol is applied only take place when a preceding check of the initial MR scan protocol reveals that the at least one boundary condition is not complied with when the initial MR scan protocol is applied.

11 . The method of claim 4 , wherein adapting the sub-protocol comprises specifying a sequence in which predetermined adaptation parameters are changed for compliance with the at least one boundary condition.

12 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the MR acceleration technique is a parallel imaging technique.

13 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the at least two sub-protocols comprise a sub-protocol for recording image data, and

wherein the image data is suitable for reconstructing at least one MR map taking into account the reference data.

14 . The method of claim 4 , further comprising:

generating a final MR scan protocol based on the adjusted sub-protocol.

15 . The method of claim 4 , further comprising:

recording MR data from the patient according to the adapted sub-protocol.

16 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising:

recording MR data from the patient according to the final MR scan protocol.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 30, 2025
From: CARINCI, FLAVIO; PAUL, DOMINIK
To: SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS AG
Reel/Frame 072417/0704 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 20, 2023
From: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBH
To: SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS AG
Reel/Frame 066267/0346 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 10 2022 209 976.1 · Sep 22, 2022 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240103110A1 · Mar 28, 2024
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