There is a great need for highly reproducible MRI examinations with the same scan position and angle, and with smooth scan operation regardless of the operator’s experience. Auto Planning, supported by Auto Scan Assist, allows MR Technologists with different levels of experience to perform complex MR procedures easily, while enhancing workflow and reproducibility from patient to patient.
Auto Scan Assist, slice positioning operation support function, is an AI-based application that automatically assists target plane setting*. Auto Scan Assist aims to support the reduction of operation time and to improve the reproducibility of scan plane without depending on the operators. Currently, Auto Scan Assist supports the examination of the Brain, Cardiac, Liver, Spine, Whole Spine, Prostate, and Knee. Each function is commercialized as NeuroLine+, SUREVOI Cardiac/CardioLine+, SUREVOI Liver/LiverLine+, SpineLine+, W-SpineLine+, ProstateLine+, and SUREVOI Knee/KneeLine+, respectively (Figure 1).
Now, NeuroLine+ implements machine learning techniques instead of direct image analysis, such as symmetrical analysis and multiple-template-matching techniques to improve accuracy and robustness for a variety of head orientations and shapes due to individual difference. In Neuro MRI examinations, a middle Sagittal plane and Axial planes such as Anterior Commissure-Posterior commissure (AC-PC) line and Orbitomeatal (OM) line are basic planes, and NeuroLine+ detects those planes.
* Not all Auto Scan Assist features utilize AI.