Cooling system for diagnostic medical imaging apparatuses with solid material heat sink

Abstract

A gantry cooling system for a diagnostic medical imaging apparatus transfers heat generated by the apparatus, such as gantry heat, to a solid material heat sink via a circulating fluid coolant conduit. In some embodiments, the heat sink is incorporated into the ground or within a building structure housing the apparatus.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] A cooling system for a diagnostic medical imaging apparatus. More specifically, it relates to a bench cooling system that circulates a fluid coolant between a bench and a solid material heat sink. Background Technology

[0002] As a non-limiting example, diagnostic medical imaging devices include computed tomography (CT), two-dimensional digital radiography (DR), positron emission tomography (PET), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), PET / CT, and PET / MRI modalities. Many of these imaging devices or systems include a ring-shaped gantry structure through which a patient stage is inserted. The gantry includes one or more electromagnetic radiation detectors that emit electrons in response to incident photons of electromagnetic radiation. In some modalities, the incident photons are emitted as transmitted X-rays or ionizing radiation in the higher portion of the electromagnetic frequency range, while in other modalities, the incident photons are in the radio frequency range. The detector's output electrons are processed by detector electronics to generate a detector output signal, which is then processed by the imaging device to generate a patient image. Exemplary electromagnetic radiation detectors include photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) and silicon photomultiplier tubes (SiPMs). The detector electronics package is typically housed within the gantry structure along with the detector. To generate usable patient image information during patient scanning, the detector and detector electronics package are kept within a relatively narrow temperature fluctuation and operating temperature bandwidth. Temperature fluctuations exceeding expectations and operating temperature bandwidth can lead to inaccurate detector readings and / or excessive noise generation components in the readings, resulting in a poor quality set of patient images.

[0003] During and between patient scans, the imaging system gantry and other components generate cyclically fluctuating heat. To keep the detectors and detector electronics within the desired temperature bandwidth, the heat generated within the gantry structure is transferred outside the gantry. Known gantry cooling systems for medical imaging apparatuses typically transfer heat from the gantry to the ambient air in the imaging chamber, resulting in peak increases in room temperature during and after patient scans. These elevated imaging chamber temperatures are uncomfortable for patients and medical technicians within the chamber, typically requiring the use of air conditioning systems to cool the chamber. Occasional increases in ambient room temperature throughout the day due to continuously scheduled patient scans can also raise the internal gantry temperature—potentially exceeding the desired detector operating temperature bandwidth. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The exemplary embodiments described herein transfer heat generated by the imaging apparatus, including heat from the gantry, to a solid material radiator by circulating fluid through coolant lines passing through the gantry and the radiator. The solid material radiator has a relatively large steady-state heat capacity, capable of absorbing the circulation of transient heat generated during one or more patient imaging scans. In some embodiments, the radiator is coupled to the medical imaging apparatus or located remotely from the apparatus, within or outside the building structure housing the imaging apparatus. In some embodiments, the radiator is directly integrated into the building structure or the floor. Radiators integrated with the building structure floor, walls, and ceiling of the imaging room save floor space in the imaging room. By transferring the heat generated by the gantry or other apparatus to the solid material radiator through the circulation of coolant fluid within the fluid coolant lines, waste heat that would otherwise raise the ambient temperature of the imaging room during any single patient scan is reduced. In some embodiments, the only energy required to transfer gantry heat to the solid radiator is for the operation of a low-pressure coolant circulation pump. In some embodiments, gantry waste heat is recovered to reduce the overall energy use of the building structure housing the medical imaging apparatus. For example, in some embodiments, the heat retained within the radiator is used for steady-state passive heating of the imaging room. In other embodiments, the heat retained in the radiator is subsequently used by a building environment control system (e.g., an HVAC system) and / or a domestic hot water heating system.

[0005] An exemplary embodiment features a cooling system for a gantry of a diagnostic medical imaging apparatus oriented within an imaging chamber of a building structure. As a non-limiting example, the diagnostic medical imaging apparatus includes computed tomography (CT), two-dimensional digital radiography (DR), positron emission tomography (PET), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), PET / CT, and PET / MRI modalities. The imaging apparatus or system includes a gantry structure having one or more electromagnetic radiation detectors and a first coolant channel for absorbing heat generated within the gantry. The gantry includes one or more electromagnetic radiation detectors that emit electrons in response to incident photons of electromagnetic radiation. In some modalities, the incident photons are transmitted X-rays or ionizing radiation emitted in the higher portion of the electromagnetic frequency range, while in other modalities, the incident photons are in the radio frequency range. A solid material heat sink with sufficient thermal mass to receive and absorb all heat generated within the gantry is oriented outside the gantry. The heat sink defines a second coolant channel. A coolant fluid conduit connects the first and second coolant channels in at least one closed fluid loop. Coolant fluid circulates within at least one closed fluid loop in a coolant fluid conduit for transferring heat generated within the test bench from a first coolant passage to a second coolant passage defined within a radiator. The second coolant passage transfers heat from the test bench to the radiator via thermal conduction.

[0006] Other exemplary embodiments feature a method for cooling a gantry of a diagnostic medical imaging apparatus by orienting the medical imaging apparatus within an imaging chamber of a building structure. The medical imaging apparatus has a gantry including at least one electromagnetic radiation detector and a first coolant channel for absorbing heat generated within the gantry. A solid material radiator is oriented outside the gantry. The radiator has sufficient thermal mass to receive and absorb all heat generated within the gantry. The radiator defines a second coolant channel. The first and second coolant channels are connected to a coolant fluid conduit in at least one closed fluid loop. Coolant fluid circulates within the coolant fluid conduit to transfer heat generated within the gantry from the first coolant channel to the second coolant channel defined within the radiator. The second coolant channel transfers heat from the gantry to the radiator via thermal conduction.

[0007] The corresponding features of the exemplary embodiments described herein may be applied in any combination or sub-combination, either jointly or separately. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Exemplary embodiments are further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0009] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a diagnostic medical imaging device and a bench cooling system, in which the radiator is embedded in the floor of the imaging room of the building structure;

[0010] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a diagnostic medical imaging device and a bench cooling system, wherein the heat sink is embedded within a modular building panel of the building structure.

[0011] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a diagnostic medical imaging device and a bench cooling system, wherein the radiator transfers bench heat to the corresponding environmental control system (e.g., HVAC) and domestic hot water heating system of the building structure;

[0012] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a diagnostic medical imaging device and a bench cooling system, wherein a fluid-to-fluid heat exchanger is inserted between a coolant circuit within the bench and a coolant circuit within a radiator;

[0013] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a diagnostic medical imaging device and a bench cooling system, wherein an air-fluid heat exchanger is provided in the bench coolant circuit;

[0014] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a diagnostic medical imaging device and a bench cooling system, wherein a mixed-phase coolant circuit is located between the bench and the radiator; and

[0015] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a diagnostic medical imaging device and a bench cooling system, wherein the bench coolant circuit is incorporated within a channel formed within a magnetic radiation detector and surrounds an electronic package within the bench.

[0016] For ease of understanding, the same reference numerals have been used where possible to denote common elements in the various figures. The figures are not drawn to scale. Detailed Implementation

[0017] Exemplary embodiments are used in gantry cooling systems for diagnostic medical imaging apparatuses, wherein the gantry cooling system transfers heat from the gantry and other devices to a solid material radiator via circulating fluid coolant conduits. The solid material radiator has sufficient thermal mass to receive and absorb all the heat generated within the gantry. In some exemplary embodiments, the radiator is a concrete slab with an embedded coolant conduit loop, the concrete slab being located in the ground or within the building structure housing the apparatus. In other exemplary embodiments, the radiator is a structural building panel with an embedded coolant conduit loop, the structural building panel serving to form the walls, floor, and / or ceiling of an imaging chamber housing the medical imaging apparatus. Advantageously, in some embodiments, for energy-saving passive heating, or as a regenerative heat source for a building's HVAC environmental control system and / or domestic hot water heating system, the gantry heat transferred to and retained within the radiator is released into the ambient air of the building structure via convection. Some embodiments of the radiator are adapted to existing types of gantry cooling systems, including those already incorporated in the art with air-fluid or fluid-fluid heat exchangers. Other embodiments of the radiator are incorporated into modified designs of gantry cooling systems in newly manufactured medical imaging apparatuses. Some embodiments of solid material heat sinks are directly coupled to medical imaging devices.

[0018] The exemplary cooling system embodiments described herein reduce the temperature fluctuation of the detector and / or detector electronics package within a single patient imaging scan to less than 1 degree Celsius (1°C) and reduce the temperature variation bandwidth between multiple consecutive patient scans to within six degrees Celsius (6°C) to generate usable patient image information. In other embodiments, the cooling system reduces the temperature fluctuation of the detector and / or detector electronics package within a single patient imaging scan to less than half a degree Celsius (0.5°C) and reduces the temperature variation bandwidth between multiple consecutive patient scans to within two degrees Celsius (2°C).

[0019] Figure 1An architectural structure 10 is shown, including an imaging chamber 12 with a floor 14, walls 16, and a ceiling 18; the architectural structure is typically constructed of concrete or other dense materials for structural support and electromagnetic isolation within the chamber. A medical imaging device 20, such as a PET scanner, includes a gantry 22 with an annular central aperture surrounding a patient table 24. The gantry 22 houses one or more electromagnetic radiation detectors 26 and one or more electronic device packages 28, only one of which is shown for illustrative purposes. During scanner operation, heat Q is generated within the gantry 22, which otherwise raises the internal temperature of the imaging device and the ambient temperature of the imaging chamber 12. A gantry cooling system 29 transfers heat Q from the gantry 22 to a radiator 30 comprising a solid thermal mass via a coolant fluid conduit 32. The coolant fluid conduit 32 is a fluid loop including a first coolant channel 34 in the gantry 22, shown as a coolant pipe for illustrative purposes, and a second coolant fluid channel 36 embedded in the radiator 30, shown as a meandering coolant pipe loop for illustrative purposes. Either type of the first coolant passage 34 or the second coolant passage 36 is selectively configured to exchange heat with the fluid coolant, and as non-limiting examples, they include any one or more of finned or non-finned heat plates, piping systems, fluid-to-fluid heat exchangers, air-to-fluid heat exchangers, embedded cooling channels within components, condensers, and evaporators. Although Figure 1 One embodiment has a single continuous coolant fluid conduit 32, but other embodiments include multiple fluid conduits, including parallel or series cooling loops and / or sub-loops in fluid communication with the coolant fluid conduit.

[0020] A variable-speed circulation pump 40 circulates coolant fluid within a coolant fluid conduit 32. A thermal controller 42 selectively alters the flow rate of the circulation pump 40 based at least in part on a temperature T sensed by a temperature sensor 44 in the gantry 22. In some embodiments, the thermal controller 42 and the temperature sensor 44 are in a feedback loop to maintain the gantry operating temperature within a defined bandwidth during operation of the imaging apparatus 20 in multiple patient imaging scans, to maintain defined temperature fluctuation parameters within any individual imaging scan. In some embodiments, there is no thermal controller or temperature sensor: the circulation pump is a non-variable-speed pump, or alternatively, a variable-speed pump operating at a specified flow rate. In some embodiments, there is no circulation pump; the coolant fluid circulates only by thermal convection. In embodiments where the coolant fluid conduit includes multiple sub-loops and / or branches, the circulation pump is selectively incorporated into one or more of them: with or without a thermal controller and / or temperature sensor.

[0021] exist Figure 1In this process, the variable-speed circulating pump 40 circulates coolant fluid within the coolant fluid conduit 32, which transfers the heat Q generated within the gantry 22 from the coolant pipe of the first coolant passage 34 to the meandering coolant pipe loop of the second coolant passage 36 defined within the radiator 30. The solid material forming the radiator is concrete, which also forms the floor 14 of the imaging chamber 12.

[0022] When constructing a new imaging chamber 12, the meandering coolant pipe loop of the second coolant channel 36, or any other desired fluid conduit pattern, can be easily embedded into the newly poured concrete floor slab 14, wall 16, or ceiling 18. Concrete is frequently used in the structure of new imaging chambers 12 due to its excellent electromagnetic energy isolation properties. Concrete has a relatively high heat capacity C of approximately 0.88 kJ / (kg·℃). p As will be described in the modeling below, the radiators of the concrete floor slab, which roughly approximates the floor space of a typical imaging room, have sufficient thermal mass to absorb all the rack heat generated during a typical eight-hour shift, while only raising the floor temperature by less than thirteen degrees Celsius. The concrete floor slab radiates heat back into the imaging room relatively slowly, which advantageously allows patients and imaging staff to walk comfortably on the warm floor during shifts and helps maintain the imaging room at a more comfortable ambient temperature between shifts.

[0023] Reference Figure 2 Modular panel 46 (e.g., concrete, metal, or other solid building material) includes radiator 30. When constructing a new or renovated imaging chamber with prefabricated panels, modular panel 46 provides a useful alternative to cast-in-place radiators. A meandering coolant conduit loop includes a second coolant fluid channel 36 embedded in or otherwise coupled to modular panel 46 to form radiator 30. Modular panel 46 is used to form the ceiling, walls, and / or floor of the imaging chamber. In some embodiments, one or more modular panels 46 are laid on the existing building floor or fixed to existing walls or ceiling. One or more modular panels 46 are coupled in the form of a continuous loop or a multi-branched loop to the coolant fluid conduit 32 and the first coolant channel 34 of the bench to complete cooling system 29. In some embodiments, modular panel 46 is coupled directly to the medical imaging apparatus, rather than integrated into or otherwise coupled to the building structure of the imaging chamber or other parts of the building.

[0024] exist Figure 3In this system, the gantry cooling system 29 uses waste heat generated within the gantry 22 and stored within the radiator 30 to heat the building's environmental control system and / or domestic hot water system. Specifically, the coolant fluid conduit 32 transfers the gantry heat absorbed by the first coolant channel 34 to the second coolant channel 36 of the radiator 30. The heat Q within the radiator 30 flows to the building's HVAC system 48 via the HVAC coolant circuit 50 and to the building's domestic hot water system via the hot water supply circuit 54 and hot water heat exchanger 52. Heated domestic water is supplied via hot water line 56 to, for example, faucets or taps 58.

[0025] Figure 4 The bench cooling system 29 inserts a fluid-to-fluid heat exchanger 60 in a coolant fluid conduit 32 between a first coolant channel 34 of the bench 22 and a second coolant channel 36 of the radiator 30. In some embodiments, the heat exchanger 60 is oriented within the bench 22. In other embodiments, the heat exchanger 60 is oriented at other locations within the medical imaging apparatus or at remote locations inside or outside the imaging chamber. The first coolant conduit sub-loop 62 transfers heat from the bench 22 to the heat exchanger 60. Bench heat is then transferred to the radiator 30 in the second coolant conduit sub-loop 64. Advantageously, Figure 4 The embodiments facilitate the retrofitting of the radiator 30 into existing fluid-fluid bench cooling systems in existing imaging system designs—whether for existing devices or for newly manufactured devices.

[0026] Figure 5 The bench cooling system 29 utilizes an air-fluid heat exchanger 66 in the bench 22. Cooling air circulates within the bench 22, passing through a coolant-filled tube in the heat exchanger 66, which forms a first coolant passage 34. Coolant fluid in the coolant fluid conduit 32 circulates between the air-fluid heat exchanger 66 and a second coolant passage 36 of the radiator 30. Advantageously, Figure 5 The embodiments facilitate the retrofitting of the radiator 30 into existing air-fluid bench cooling systems in existing imaging system designs—whether for existing devices or for newly manufactured devices.

[0027] Figures 1-5 The bench cooling system utilizes known liquid and mixed-phase liquid / gas coolant fluids. As a non-limiting example, these liquid and mixed-phase liquid / gas coolant fluids include ethylene glycol, water, water-ethylene glycol, oil, and ammonia. The cooling system 29 described herein utilizes any known type of coolant fluid used in medical imaging devices.

[0028] Figure 6The cooling system embodiment incorporates a mixed-phase (i.e., a mixture of liquid and gas) coolant. An exemplary ammonia or chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) coolant medium circulates within a coolant fluid conduit 32 between an evaporator 70 in a radiator 22 and a condenser 72 formed in a radiator 30. The liquid coolant is compressed in a compressor or pump 74 into an expansion valve 76, exiting as a gaseous coolant that absorbs heat from the evaporator 70. The gaseous coolant is then condensed back into liquid form in the condenser 72, transferring heat from the radiator to the radiator 30. For illustrative purposes, the evaporator 70 and condenser 72 are shown schematically.

[0029] exist Figure 7 In this embodiment, the coolant fluid conduit 32 of the cooling system 29 incorporates a first coolant channel 34 for general bench 22 cooling, and branches or sub-loops of cooling conduits 82 including coolant channel 80 and the first coolant channel, for directly cooling detector 26 and electronic device package 28 and for thermally isolating detector 26 and electronic device package 28 from the general ambient temperature within the bench. For illustrative purposes, bench structure 22 is schematically shown in dashed lines. In this embodiment, coolant channel 80 is integrated into the structure of detector 26. The meandering profile of cooling conduit 82 is abutted against or otherwise directly thermally connected to one or more outer surfaces of electronic device package 28. Coolant fluid branches 80 and 82 and the first coolant channel 34 of coolant fluid conduit 32 are connected in a common fluid manifold 83. In some embodiments, the fluid manifold includes a coolant flow limiter for varying the coolant flow rate between branches (not shown). In some embodiments, including a first coolant channel 34 within the cooling system 29, multiple parallel or branched cooling sub-circuits may be included. Each sub-circuit may have its heat transfer rate varied during initial design or by field adjustments to draw heat from the test bench 22 to the second coolant channel 36 of the radiator 30 and / or to isolate hot areas within the test bench from higher temperature areas within the test bench. For example, during operation, an electromagnetic radiation source (not shown) within the test bench generates heat. In some embodiments, this source will have a dedicated, isolated first coolant channel sub-circuit filled with a coolant (e.g., oil) having a higher evaporation temperature than other coolants in the cooling system. This sub-circuit will have its own dedicated fluid-to-fluid heat exchanger in thermal communication with the fluid coolant conduit. In some embodiments, other sub-circuits of the first coolant channel serve as thermal insulators, such as… Figure 7 Branch or sub-loop coolant channels 80 and cooling pipes 82 isolate the detector 26 and electronic device package 28 from the higher temperature zone in the test bench 22.

[0030] exist Figure 1In some embodiments, the cooling system 29 incorporates a thermal controller 42. In some embodiments, the thermal controller includes a digital electronic controller platform architecture and is implemented via software modules executed by a computer processor. Exemplary embodiments of the thermal controller 42 are implemented in various forms, including hardware, software, firmware, dedicated processors, or combinations thereof. Preferably, aspects of the embodiments are implemented in software as programs tangibly embodied on a program storage device. The program is uploaded to and executed by a machine including any suitable architecture. Preferably, the machine is implemented on a computer platform with hardware such as one or more central processing units (CPUs), random access memory (RAM), and input / output (I / O) interfaces. The computer platform also includes an operating system and microinstruction code. The various coolant temperature sensing and fluid circulation processes and functions described herein are part of the microinstruction code or a program (or a combination thereof) executed via the operating system. Furthermore, various other peripheral devices, such as temperature sensor 44, can be connected to the computer / controller platform.

[0031] Solid material heat sinks, such as the embodiment of heat sink 30 described herein, utilize a relatively large thermal mass to absorb heat generated within the gantry or other components of a medical imaging apparatus during patient imaging procedures scheduled throughout the day. Heat generation in an imaging apparatus is inherently intermittent, with heating peaks occurring during a single patient scan, followed by quiescent periods without heat generation. In known gantry cooling systems that release gantry heat into the imaging chamber, the ambient air temperature of the chamber peaks proportionally during the patient scanning procedure. In the cooling system embodiments described herein, the thermal mass of the heat sink is selected based on the expected thermal generation cycles of the medical imaging apparatus, including its gantry, during specified time intervals, and the heat sink's ability to release the retained heat sufficiently slowly without raising the ambient temperature of the scanning chamber and / or the scanning detectors and / or electronic packages of the medical imaging apparatus beyond permissible limits. For example, the size of a heat sink embedded in the concrete floor of the imaging chamber can be determined to absorb the transient heating cycles of the medical imaging apparatus's gantry and release the absorbed transient heat back into the ambient air of the imaging chamber at a rate that does not cause discomfort to the patient or medical staff occupying the room.

[0032] Using the following example, a radiator formed within a concrete slab of a medical imaging room floor absorbs all the heat (E) generated by a continuous waste heat load (Q) of 3 kW injected by a PET scanner during the entire total time (t) of an eight-hour shift of scheduled patient scans. The total generated heat (E) that can be absorbed by the concrete is approximately 86,400 kJ. It is unlikely that any PET scanner will be used continuously for eight hours, due to the inherent delay in preparing individual patients for periodically scheduled scans. Assuming that the concrete floor absorbs and retains 100% of the waste heat (Q) from the PET scanner over the entire eight-hour period is also overly pessimistic. Therefore, for modeling purposes, the following estimate of the temperature rise of the concrete radiator is a worst-case assumption. The concrete slab is assumed to be 12 cm thick, with a surface area of ​​approximately 26.5 m². 2 The total volume (v) of the concrete is approximately 3.18 m³. 3 With an approximate concrete density (ρ) of 2400 kg / m³ 3 In this case, the total mass (M) of the concrete slab is approximately 7645 kg. The heat capacity of concrete (C) p The value is approximately 0.88 kJ / kg-℃. Using the following formula, the increase in concrete temperature (ΔT), i.e., the final temperature of the slab after heating (Tf) minus the initial slab temperature (Ti), will be:

[0033] E=MC p (ΔT)

[0034] After absorbing the 86,400 kJ heat load from the PET scanner, the concrete temperature rises (ΔT) by approximately 12.8°C, with explicit assumption that the concrete radiators retain all the heat load throughout the eight-hour shift. Assuming the concrete floor temperature is 18°C ​​(matching the desired ambient temperature of the imaging room maintained by the building's HVAC system) before imaging begins at the start of the shift, and that the floor does not release heat to its surroundings, the floor temperature will rise by 12.8°C to an ambiently acceptable 30.8°C at the end of the scheduled eight-hour shift. The absorbed heat is released back into the scanning room until the heated floor surface again matches the room's ambient temperature of 18°C.

[0035] The same general heat transfer purpose can be achieved using solid material heat sinks of other suitable sizes—whether embedded in building structural components or the ground, formed as a stand-alone component in an imaging chamber, or directly coupled to a medical imaging device. In another exemplary embodiment, the imaging scanner device incorporates solid material heat sinks within a plurality of seismic plates or electromagnetic shielding elements coupled to the device.

[0036] In many embodiments, compared to known gantry cooling systems that directly dissipate gantry heat into the ambient air of the imaging chamber, the operating energy required to cool the gantry using the solid material radiators described herein is reduced. Known gantry cooling systems typically require a combination of relatively noisy power compressors, coolers, and forced-air fan ducts. Some cooling system embodiments described herein rely on thermal convection to circulate the coolant fluid between the gantry and the radiator. Other cooling system embodiments rely on relatively low-energy fluid circulation pumps to circulate the coolant fluid relatively quietly.

[0037] Cooling system embodiments including the solid material radiators described herein offer a wide range of potential individual benefits, including: low maintenance and operating energy consumption, simple construction, low noise, and narrower bandwidth temperature fluctuations during individual imaging scans and narrower bandwidth temperature ranges over multiple consecutive imaging scans. The radiator embodiments described herein can be readily integrated into other imaging device components (e.g., seismic plates or radiation shields) and into the floors, walls, and / or ceilings of the imaging chamber structure and surrounding building structures.

[0038] Although various embodiments have been shown and described in detail herein, others can readily devise many other variations of the invention that still incorporate the claimed invention. The invention is not limited in its application to the construction details and component arrangements of the exemplary embodiments set forth in the specification or shown in the drawings. Other embodiments of the invention are possible, and it can be practiced or performed in various ways. Furthermore, it should be understood that the wording and terminology used herein are for descriptive purposes and should not be considered limiting. The terms “comprising,” “including,” “combined,” or “having,” and variations thereof, as used herein, mean to include the items listed thereafter and their equivalents, as well as additional items. Unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms “mounting,” “connecting,” “supporting,” and “coupling,” and variations thereof, shall be interpreted broadly; they include direct and indirect mounting, connection, support, and coupling. Furthermore, “connection” and “coupling” are not limited to physical, mechanical, or electrical connections or couplings (coupled).

Claims

1. A cooling system for a gantry of a diagnostic medical imaging apparatus, comprising: Medical imaging equipment, oriented within an imaging chamber of a building structure; The medical imaging device has a gantry frame, wherein the gantry frame has at least one electromagnetic radiation detector and a first coolant channel for absorbing heat generated within the gantry frame. A solid material radiator having sufficient thermal mass to receive and absorb all heat generated within the frame, the solid material radiator being oriented outside the frame, the solid material radiator defining a second coolant passage; A coolant fluid conduit connecting the first coolant passage and the second coolant passage in at least one closed fluid loop; and Coolant fluid circulating in at least one closed fluid loop of the coolant fluid conduit is used to transfer heat generated in the test bench from the first coolant channel to a second coolant channel defined within the solid material radiator, the second coolant channel transferring heat from the test bench to the solid material radiator via thermal conduction.

2. The cooling system of claim 1 further includes the solid material radiator forming a structural element, the structural element defining a wall, floor, or ceiling of the building structure or being buried underground, wherein the second coolant channel is embedded in the structural element.

3. The cooling system of claim 1 further includes the solid material radiator forming a modular building panel, wherein the second coolant channel is embedded within the modular building panel.

4. The cooling system of claim 3, wherein the modular building panel forms a structural element that defines the walls, floor, or ceiling of the building structure or is buried underground.

5. The cooling system of claim 1 further includes a fluid-to-fluid heat exchanger connected to the coolant fluid conduit and inserted between the second coolant channel and the HVAC and / or domestic water heating system, for transferring heat generated within the rack from the first coolant channel to the HVAC and / or domestic water heating system.

6. The cooling system of claim 1 further includes a fluid-to-fluid heat exchanger connected to the coolant fluid conduit and inserted between the first coolant passage and the second coolant passage, wherein a first fluid circulates in a first coolant conduit sub-loop between the heat exchanger and the first coolant passage, and a second fluid circulates in a second coolant conduit sub-loop between the heat exchanger and the second coolant passage.

7. The cooling system of claim 1 further includes an air-fluid heat exchanger within the test bench, the air-fluid heat exchanger being connected to the first coolant passage for transferring heat generated in the ambient air within the test bench to the coolant fluid in the first coolant passage.

8. The cooling system according to claim 1, wherein the first coolant channel further comprises at least one bench coolant circuit, the bench coolant circuit being oriented within the bench and / or embedded within the electromagnetic radiation detector, and / or surrounding the electronic device module in the bench.

9. The cooling system of claim 1, further comprising a circulation pump for circulating the coolant fluid, a temperature sensor in the test bench, and a thermal controller, the thermal controller being coupled to the temperature sensor and the circulation pump for selectively changing the flow rate of the coolant fluid in at least part of response to a test bench temperature sensed by the temperature sensor.

10. A method for cooling a stage of a diagnostic medical imaging apparatus, comprising: A directional medical imaging device in an imaging room of a building structure, the medical imaging device having a gantry including at least one electromagnetic radiation detector and a first coolant channel for absorbing heat generated within the gantry. An externally oriented solid material radiator is provided on the test bench, the solid material radiator having sufficient thermal mass to receive and absorb all the heat generated within the test bench, the solid material radiator defining a second coolant passage; The first coolant passage and the second coolant passage are connected to a coolant fluid conduit in at least one closed fluid circuit; as well as The coolant fluid is circulated within the coolant fluid conduit to transfer heat generated within the test bench from the first coolant channel to a second coolant channel defined within the solid material radiator. The second coolant channel transfers heat from the test bench to the solid material radiator via thermal conduction.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising integrating the solid material radiator into a wall, floor, or ceiling defining the building structure or a structural element buried underground, and embedding the second coolant channel in the structural element.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising forming the solid material radiator into a modular building panel, embedding the second coolant channel into the modular building panel, and combining the modular building panel into a structural element defining a wall, floor, or ceiling of the building structure or being buried underground.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising: The temperature of the electromagnetic radiation detector is monitored using a temperature sensor. The coolant fluid is circulated in the coolant fluid conduit using a variable flow rate pump; as well as A thermal controller is used to selectively change the coolant fluid flow rate of the variable flow rate pump. The thermal controller is connected to the variable flow rate pump and the temperature sensor. The thermal controller changes the flow rate of the variable flow rate pump in response to the temperature of the electromagnetic radiation detector.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising performing multiple medical imaging scans using the medical imaging apparatus, and selectively changing the coolant fluid flow rate using the thermal controller such that the temperature fluctuation within the electromagnetic radiation detector does not change by more than one degree Celsius (1.0°C) during any single imaging scan, and the temperature change of the electromagnetic radiation detector does not exceed six degrees Celsius (6.0°C) during all of the multiple medical imaging scans.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising performing multiple medical imaging scans using the medical imaging apparatus, and selectively changing the coolant fluid flow rate using the thermal controller such that the temperature fluctuation within the electromagnetic radiation detector does not change by more than half a degree Celsius (0.5°C) during any single imaging scan, and the temperature change of the electromagnetic radiation detector does not exceed two degrees Celsius (2.0°C) during all of the multiple medical imaging scans.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising using the heat absorbed by the radiator of the solid material to heat the building structure and / or the domestic hot water supply device of the building structure.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising using the heat absorbed by the radiator of the solid material to heat the building structure and / or the domestic hot water supply device of the building structure.

Images