A multi-functional self-converting multi-pinhole collimator and its operation method

Abstract

The present invention discloses a multi-pinhole collimator with multi-functional self-conversion and its operation method, which includes an outer shielding component, an inner shielding component and a motion component; the outer shielding component includes an outer shielding cylinder and an outer shielding frame, the inner shielding component includes an inner shielding cylinder and an inner shielding frame, and the inner shielding cylinder is sleeved inside the outer shielding cylinder through the inner shielding frame and the outer shielding frame; the motion component is a device for driving the relative displacement of the inner shielding cylinder and the outer shielding cylinder along their own central axes; multiple rows of pinholes are arranged along the central axis direction of the inner shielding cylinder, and the pinholes in the same row are distributed circumferentially along the inner shielding cylinder, and the apertures and hole pitches of the multiple rows of pinholes are different from each other. Through the relative movement of the inner shielding cylinder and the outer shielding cylinder, the multi-functional and rapid and flexible changes and switching of different resolutions, different perspectives, different fields of view, different sensitivities, etc. are realized, and the cumbersome work of replacing another collimator due to the need to replace collimators with different functions is eliminated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of collimators, and in particular to a multi-pinhole collimator with multi-functional self-conversion and its operation method. Background Art

[0002] Nuclear medicine equipment for medical use usually includes a detector and a collimator. Nuclear scanning systems usually require collimators with different functions to achieve different diagnostic purposes, so the collimator needs to be replaced according to requirements.

[0003] Currently, in the domestic and foreign markets, among the nuclear medicine equipment (mostly SPECT and PET) in hospitals, parallel-hole collimators (LEHR-SPECT) are mostly used for collimators. Each collimator is installed on a probe (detector), and scanning is completed by rotating around the acquisition target, and then three-dimensional imaging is established; multi-pinhole collimators are used for the diagnosis of small organs, mostly for the diagnosis of the heart and thyroid. The implementation on the equipment is also that a single probe (detector) corresponds to a collimator to achieve acquisition by the method of rotational scanning. However, the existing collimators have a single function. When it is necessary to switch to a collimator with other functions, it is necessary to move or remove a collimator automatically or manually to install another collimator with the required function. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to propose a multi-pinhole collimator with multi-functional self-conversion and its operation method, which realizes multi-functional changes and switching such as different resolutions, different perspectives, different fields of view, and different sensitivities, and eliminates the cumbersome work of installing another collimator due to the need to replace collimators with different functions.

[0005] To achieve this purpose, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0006] A multi-pinhole collimator with multi-functional self-conversion includes an outer shielding component, an inner shielding component, and a motion component; the outer shielding component includes an outer shielding cylinder and an outer shielding frame, the inner shielding component includes an inner shielding cylinder and an inner shielding frame, and the inner shielding cylinder is sleeved inside the outer shielding cylinder through the inner shielding frame and the outer shielding frame;

[0007] The motion component is a device for driving the inner shielding cylinder and the outer shielding cylinder to generate relative displacement along their own central axes;

[0008] The inner shielding cylinder is provided with multiple rows of pinholes along its own central axis direction, and the pinholes in the same row are distributed circumferentially along the inner shielding cylinder, and the apertures and hole pitches of the multiple rows of pinholes are different from each other;

[0009] The outer shielding cylinder is provided with at least one row of light-passing holes along its central axis, and the light-passing holes in the same row are circumferentially distributed along the outer shielding cylinder. The light-passing holes and the pinholes of the inner shielding cylinder alternately block and transmit light through relative movement.

[0010] Preferably, the outer shielding cylinder is connected to the outer shielding frame; the inner shielding cylinder is connected to the inner shielding frame.

[0011] Preferably, the outer shielding cylinder is a shielding material distributed on the circumferential wall of a cylinder, and the outer shielding frame is a supporting structure of the outer shielding cylinder, so that the overall outer shielding assembly is a cylindrical combination;

[0012] The inner shielding cylinder is a shielding material distributed on the circumferential wall of a cylinder, and the inner shielding frame is a supporting structure of the inner shielding cylinder, so that the overall inner shielding assembly is a cylindrical combination.

[0013] Preferably, the moving assembly includes a driving device and at least two slide rails; at least two of the slide rails are arranged on the outer wall of the inner shielding frame along the axial direction of the inner shielding cylinder, and the slider of the slide rail is connected to the inner wall of the outer shielding frame; or, at least two of the slide rails are arranged on the inner wall of the outer shielding frame along the axial direction of the outer shielding cylinder, and the slider of the slide rail is connected to the outer wall of the inner shielding frame;

[0014] The driving device drives the inner shielding assembly and the outer shielding assembly to move axially relative to each other.

[0015] Preferably, the outer shielding cylinder is provided with multiple rows of light-passing holes along its central axis, and each row of light-passing holes corresponds to a group of the pinholes. A group of the pinholes includes multiple rows of pinholes, forming a corresponding combination of the light-passing holes and the pinholes.

[0016] Preferably, for the operation method of the multifunctional self-converting multi-pinhole collimator, the multifunctional self-converting multi-pinhole collimator drives the inner shielding frame to move along the slide rail relative to the outer shielding frame through a driving device until the required pinholes on the inner shielding cylinder are aligned with the light-passing holes, and corresponds to the detector;

[0017] When other pinholes need to be converted, the driving device drives the inner shielding frame or the outer shielding frame to move relative to each other along the slide rail until the pinholes to be converted on the inner shielding cylinder are aligned with the light-passing holes.

[0018] For the multi-pinhole collimator with multi-functional self-conversion, an inner shielding cylinder is movably sleeved inside the outer shielding cylinder. The inner shielding cylinder is driven by a motion component to translate along its own central axis, so that the required row of pinholes is aligned with the light passing holes, and the remaining rows of pinholes that are not needed are blocked by the outer shielding cylinder, so that the nuclear medicine equipment uses the required row of pinholes for scanning. When it is necessary to convert to pinholes with other apertures, the inner shielding cylinder is driven by the motion component to translate along its own central axis, and the pinholes with other apertures are converted to be aligned with the light passing holes.

[0019] Thus, the switching of pinholes with different apertures is realized through the relative displacement of the inner shielding cylinder and the outer shielding cylinder, making the multi-pinhole collimator with multi-functional self-conversion have the following advantages: First, excellent comprehensive performance: The collimator can very conveniently realize the switching between multiple functions such as different resolutions, different perspectives, different fields of view, and different sensitivities. The structures of different functions are organically combined, improving efficiency and saving space and auxiliary equipment. Second, flexible selection: It realizes the flexible switching of different pinholes for the same detection target. Third, automatic replacement and rapid replacement: The collimator is automatically controlled by a motion component, achieving automatic and rapid replacement of different pinholes, eliminating the cumbersome work of replacing to the next collimator due to the need to replace collimators with different functions, and automatically completing the conversion between different functions. Fourth, accurate positioning: The motion component can achieve accurate pinhole positioning. Fifth, the flexibility and convenience of the collimator provide good support for improving the overall efficiency of the human nuclear medicine equipment. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] The drawings further illustrate the present invention, but the content in the drawings does not constitute any limitation to the present invention.

[0021] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of the multi-pinhole collimator with multi-functional self-conversion according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 It is a partial structural diagram of the motion component according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 -A is the first state diagram of the axial movement of the collimator according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 -B is the second state diagram of the axial movement of the collimator according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Wherein: outer shielding component 1; inner shielding component 2; motion component 3; outer shielding cylinder 11; inner shielding cylinder 21; pinhole 211; light passing hole 111; outer shielding frame 12; inner shielding frame 22; slide rail 31; slider 32; detector 4. Detailed Description of the Embodiment

[0026] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and through specific embodiments.

[0027] The multi-pinhole collimator with multi-functional self-conversion in this embodiment, as Figure 1 shown, includes an outer shielding component 1, an inner shielding component 2 and a motion component 3;

[0028] The outer shielding component 1 includes an outer shielding cylinder 11 and an outer shielding frame 12, the inner shielding component 2 includes an inner shielding cylinder 21 and an inner shielding frame 22, and the inner shielding cylinder 21 is sleeved inside the outer shielding cylinder 11 through the inner shielding frame 22 and the outer shielding frame 12;

[0029] The motion component 3 is a device for driving the inner shielding cylinder 21 and the outer shielding cylinder 11 to generate relative displacement along their own central axes;

[0030] The inner shielding cylinder 21 is provided with multiple rows of pinholes 211 along its own central axis direction, and the pinholes 211 in the same row are circumferentially distributed along the inner shielding cylinder 21. The apertures and hole pitches of the multiple rows of pinholes 211 are different from each other;

[0031] The outer shielding cylinder 11 is provided with at least one row of light-passing holes 111 along its own central axis, and the light-passing holes 111 in the same row are circumferentially distributed along the outer shielding cylinder 11. The light-passing holes 111 and the pinholes 211 of the inner shielding cylinder 21 are alternately blocked and made transparent through relative movement.

[0032] For the multi-pinhole collimator with multi-functional self-conversion, the inner shielding cylinder 21 is movably sleeved inside the outer shielding cylinder 11, and the motion component 3 is used to drive the inner shielding cylinder 21 to translate along its own central axis, so that the required row of pinholes 211 is aligned with the light-passing holes 111, and the remaining rows of pinholes 211 that are not needed are blocked by the outer shielding cylinder 11, as Figure 3 shown in -A, so that the nuclear medicine equipment uses the required row of pinholes 211 for scanning. When it is necessary to convert to pinholes 211 with other apertures, the motion component 3 is used to drive the inner shielding cylinder 21 to translate along its own central axis, and the pinholes 211 with other apertures are converted to be aligned with the light-passing holes 111, as Figure 3 shown in -B.

[0033] Thus, by the relative displacement between the inner shielding cylinder 21 and the outer shielding cylinder 11, the switching of pinholes 211 with different apertures is achieved, enabling the multi-pinhole collimator with multi-functional self-conversion to have the following advantages: First, excellent comprehensive performance: The collimator very conveniently realizes the switching between various functions such as different resolutions, different perspectives, different fields of view, and different sensitivities. The structures of different functions are organically combined, improving efficiency and saving space and auxiliary equipment. Second, flexible selection: It realizes the flexible switching of different pinholes 211 for the same detection target. Third, automatic and rapid replacement: The collimator is automatically controlled by the motion component 3, achieving automatic and rapid replacement of different pinholes 211, eliminating the cumbersome work of replacing the next collimator due to the need to replace collimators with different functions, and automatically completing the conversion between different functions. Fourth, accurate positioning: The motion component 3 can achieve accurate positioning of the pinhole 211. Fifth, the flexibility and convenience of this collimator provide good support for improving the overall efficiency of human nuclear medicine equipment.

[0034] Preferably, as Figure 1 shown, the outer shielding cylinder 11 is connected to the outer shielding frame 12; the inner shielding cylinder 21 is connected to the inner shielding frame 22.

[0035] Preferably, the outer shielding cylinder 11 is a shielding material distributed on the circumferential wall of the cylinder, and the outer shielding frame 12 is a supporting structure for the outer shielding cylinder 11, making the overall outer shielding component a cylindrical combination;

[0036] The inner shielding cylinder 21 is a shielding material distributed on the circumferential wall of the cylinder, and the inner shielding frame 22 is a supporting structure for the inner shielding cylinder 21, making the overall inner shielding component a cylindrical combination.

[0037] The outer shielding frame 12 plays a role in supporting and protecting the outer shielding cylinder 11, and is used to support the outer shielding cylinder 11 (or cylindrical-like shielding) and the slider 32 of the motion component or a certain sliding mechanism; the inner shielding frame 22 plays a role in supporting and protecting the inner shielding cylinder 21, and is used to support the inner shielding cylinder 21 (or cylindrical-like shielding) and the slide rail 31 of the motion component or a certain sliding mechanism.

[0038] Preferably, as Figure 1 shown, both the outer shielding cylinder 11 and the inner shielding cylinder 21 are in the shape of a cylinder, and the outer shielding frame 12 and the inner shielding frame 22 are respectively the supporting structures for the outer shielding cylinder 11 and the inner shielding cylinder 21. Such a structure realizes cylindrical-like shielding, facilitating acquisition by means of rotational scanning. Cylindrical-like shielding means that the shielding is made into a regular or irregular cylindrical shape, or shielding members are distributedly arranged on the wall of the cylinder.

[0039] Preferably, as Figure 1As shown, the aperture of the pinhole 211 on the inner wall of the inner shielding cylinder 21 is smaller than the aperture on the outer wall of the inner shielding cylinder 21, and the width of the light passing hole 111 on the inner wall of the outer shielding cylinder 11 is smaller than the width on the outer wall of the outer shielding cylinder 11. This ensures that all rows of pinholes 211 on the inner shielding cylinder 21 can be in a light-passing state through the light passing holes 111.

[0040] Preferably, as Figure 1 , Figure 2 shown, the moving assembly 3 includes a driving device and at least two slide rails 31. At least two slide rails 31 are arranged on the outer wall of the inner shielding frame 22 along the axial direction of the inner shielding cylinder 21, and the slider 32 of the slide rail 31 is connected to the inner wall of the outer shielding frame 12; alternatively, at least two slide rails 31 are arranged on the inner wall of the outer shielding frame 12 along the axial direction of the outer shielding cylinder 11, and the slider of the slide rail 31 is connected to the outer wall of the inner shielding frame 22;

[0041] The driving device drives the inner shielding assembly and the outer shielding assembly to move axially relative to each other. Thus, by driving the slide rail 31 and the slider 32 to move axially relative to each other by the driving device, the inner shielding assembly and the outer shielding assembly move axially relative to each other. The driving device is a motor, a lead screw, etc.

[0042] Preferably, as Figure 2 shown, a sliding groove is provided at the bottom of the slide rail 31, and the sliding groove penetrates both ends of the slide rail 31; the width of the sliding groove is greater than the width of the slider 32, and the slide rail 31 is movably sleeved with the slider 32 through the sliding groove. The sliding groove plays a limiting role on the slide rail 31, preventing the slide rail 31 from swaying left and right during movement and affecting the alignment of the pinholes 211, and ensuring that the slider 32 slides along the slide rail 31.

[0043] Preferably, the driving device is electric or pneumatic. By driving the slide rail 31 and the slider 32 to slide relative to each other by the driving device, automatic and rapid replacement of different pinholes 211 is achieved. The driving device can achieve precise positioning of the pinholes 211, providing good support for improving the overall efficiency of the human nuclear medicine equipment.

[0044] Preferably, the outer shielding cylinder 11 is provided with multiple rows of light passing holes 111 along its central axis, and each row of light passing holes 111 corresponds to a group of the pinholes 211. A group of the pinholes 211 includes multiple rows of pinholes 211, forming a corresponding combination of the light passing holes 111 and the pinholes 211. The light passing holes 111 and the pinholes 211 distributed on the outer shielding cylinder 11 and the inner shielding cylinder 21 can appear in multiple groups, forming a corresponding combination of the light passing holes 111 and the pinholes 211; each row of the light passing holes 111 corresponds to a group of the pinholes 211 to meet the requirements of simultaneous acquisition by multiple rows of detectors.

[0045] Preferably, the operating method of the multifunctional self-switching multi-pinhole collimator is:

[0046] like Figure 3 -A, the multifunctional self-switching multi-pinhole collimator drives the inner shield frame 22 to move relative to the outer shield frame 12 along the slide rail 31 through a driving device until the required pinhole 211 on the inner shield cylinder 21 is aligned with the light-through hole 111, and the probe of the detector 4 is aligned with the quasi-light-through hole 111 and corresponds to the detector 4;

[0047] like Figure 3 -B, when other pinholes 211 need to be converted, the driving device drives the inner shielding frame 22 or the outer shielding frame 12 to move relatively along the slide rail 31 until the pinhole 211 to be converted on the inner shielding cylinder 21 is aligned with the light-through hole 111.

[0048] The operation method of the multifunctional self-switching multi-pinhole collimator drives the inner shielding cylinder 21 to translate along its own central axis through the motion component 3, so that the required row of pinholes 211 is aligned with the light-through hole 111, and the remaining rows of pinholes 211 that are not required are covered by the outer shielding cylinder 11, so that the nuclear medicine equipment uses the required row of pinholes 211 for scanning. When it is necessary to convert the pinholes 211 to other apertures, the inner shielding cylinder 21 is driven to translate along its own central axis through the motion component 3, and the pinholes 211 converted to other apertures are aligned with the light-through hole 111. It is very convenient to switch between multiple functions such as different resolutions, different viewing angles, different fields of view, different sensitivities, etc. The organic combination of structures with different functions improves efficiency, saves space and auxiliary equipment; it realizes flexible switching of different pinholes 211 for the same detection target; it can automatically and quickly replace different pinholes 211, eliminating the tedious work of replacing a collimator with a different function, and automatically completing the conversion between different functions; the motion component 3 can realize accurate positioning of the pinhole 211; it provides good support for improving the overall efficiency of human nuclear medicine equipment.

[0049] The technical principle of the present invention is described above in conjunction with specific embodiments. These descriptions are only for explaining the principle of the present invention and cannot be interpreted as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention in any way. Based on the explanations herein, those skilled in the art can associate other specific implementations of the present invention without paying creative labor, and these methods will fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A multi-functional self-converting multi-pinhole collimator, characterized in that: It includes an outer shielding component, an inner shielding component and a motion component; The outer shielding component includes an outer shielding cylinder and an outer shielding frame. The inner shielding component includes an inner shielding cylinder and an inner shielding frame. The inner shielding cylinder is sleeved inside the outer shielding cylinder through the inner shielding frame and the outer shielding frame; The motion component is a device for driving the inner shielding cylinder and the outer shielding cylinder to generate relative displacement along their own central axes; A plurality of rows of pinholes are arranged along the central axis direction of the inner shielding cylinder, and the pinholes in the same row are circumferentially distributed along the inner shielding cylinder. The apertures and hole pitches of the plurality of rows of pinholes are different from each other; The outer shielding cylinder is provided with at least one row of light-passing holes along its own central axis, and the light-passing holes in the same row are circumferentially distributed along the outer shielding cylinder. The light-passing holes and the pinholes of the inner shielding cylinder alternately block and transmit light through relative movement; The motion component drives the inner shielding cylinder to translate along its own central axis, so that the required row of pinholes is aligned with the light-passing holes, and the remaining rows of pinholes that are not needed are blocked by the outer shielding cylinder; When it is necessary to convert to pinholes with other apertures, the motion component drives the inner shielding cylinder to translate along its own central axis, and the converted pinholes with other apertures are aligned with the light-passing holes; The motion component includes a driving device and at least two slide rails; At least two of the slide rails are arranged on the outer wall of the inner shielding frame along the axial direction of the inner shielding cylinder, and the slider of the slide rail is connected to the inner wall of the outer shielding frame; or, at least two of the slide rails are arranged on the inner wall of the outer shielding frame along the axial direction of the outer shielding cylinder, and the slider of the slide rail is connected to the outer wall of the inner shielding frame; The driving device drives the inner shielding component and the outer shielding component to move axially relative to each other.

2. The multi-pinhole collimator with multi-functional self-conversion according to claim 1, wherein: The outer shielding cylinder is connected to the outer shielding frame; the inner shielding cylinder is connected to the inner shielding frame.

3. The multi-pinhole collimator with multi-functional self-conversion according to claim 2, wherein: The outer shielding cylinder is a shielding material distributed on the cylindrical peripheral wall, and the outer shielding frame is a supporting structure of the outer shielding cylinder, so that the outer shielding component is an overall cylindrical combination; The inner shielding cylinder is a shielding material distributed on the cylindrical peripheral wall, and the inner shielding frame is a supporting structure of the inner shielding cylinder, so that the inner shielding component is an overall cylindrical combination.

4. The multi-pinhole collimator with multifunctional self-conversion according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer shielding cylinder is provided with a plurality of rows of light-passing holes along its own central axis, and each row of light-passing holes corresponds to a group of the pinholes. A group of the pinholes includes a plurality of rows of pinholes, forming a corresponding combination of the light-passing holes and the pinholes.

5. The operation method of the multifunctional self-converting multi-pinhole collimator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The multifunctional self-converting multi-pinhole collimator drives the inner shielding frame to move along the slide rail relative to the outer shielding frame through the driving device until the required pinholes on the inner shielding cylinder are aligned with the light-passing holes and correspond to the detector; When it is necessary to convert to other pinholes, the driving device drives the inner shielding frame or the outer shielding frame to move relative to each other along the slide rail until the pinholes to be converted on the inner shielding cylinder are aligned with the light-passing holes.

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