25.01.2012
Doctoral student from Freiburg is "German High-Tech-Champion 2011"

A new procedure now allows image defects caused by patient movements during magnetic resonance imaging (MRT) scans to be corrected automatically. The new method enables patient treatment time to be minimised and costs to be reduced as a result. The new imaging technique in X-ray diagnostics was created at the University Hospital in Freiburg where the doctoral student Michal Herbst played a key role in its development. The up-and-coming scientist's work has recently been awarded the "German High-Tech Champion 2011" prize for "international research marketing" by the Fraunhofer Society. The prize is worth 10,000 euros.

According to the hospital the method developed by Michael Herbst and his team actually corrects image defects during the scan procedure. A small camera fitted in the scanner records every single movement the patient makes. These position data are processed by a computer which sends them to the MRS scanner which in turn adjusts position changes in real time. This unobtrusive method enables patient movements to be compensated and ensures that quality diagnostic images are created. It also minimises the times it takes to carry out an examination.

The new procedure was developed in Freiburg Hospital's "medical physics" working group in which Michael prepared his doctoral thesis on "Prospective Motion Correction in MRI" which focused on precisely this problem. Julian Maclaren, Maxim Zaitsev and Oliver Speck were also involved in the genesis of the newly developed procedure.