Cooling system for image-guided therapy system

Abstract

The utility model provides a cooling system used for an image-guided treatment system, the image-guided treatment system comprises a first heating part and a second heating part, and the cooling system is characterized by comprising a container used for accommodating cooling fluid; the pump is used for pumping cooling fluid from the container to a first cooling branch and a second cooling branch, the first cooling branch passes through the first heating component, and the second cooling branch passes through the second heating component; a fluid distribution device for distributing the cooling fluid from the pump to the first cooling branch and the second cooling branch; the cooling fluid flowing through the first heating component in the first cooling branch and the cooling fluid flowing through the second heating component in the second cooling branch flow through the heat exchanger and then flow back to the container. According to the cooling system for the image guide treatment system, the manufacturing cost can be reduced, the occupied space can be reduced, and the reliability of the cooling system can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to an image-guided treatment system, in particular to a cooling system used in the image-guided treatment system. Background Art

[0002] Image-guided therapy refers to imaging the target area and its surrounding anatomical structures during radiotherapy to determine the position of the radiotherapy beam relative to the intended target area in the patient's body, thereby allowing necessary corrections to the intended relative position of the beam and target area. Image-guided therapy systems can utilize imaging devices such as CT (computed tomography), DSA (digital subtraction angiography), MR (magnetic resonance imaging), and PET (positron emission tomography). During image-guided therapy, the imaging devices generate a large amount of heat, necessitating a cooling system to dissipate the heat generated by the imaging devices. An existing dual-plane image-guided therapy system (radiotherapy system) includes two C-arms, each equipped with an X-ray tube. To dissipate the heat generated by each X-ray tube, a separate cooling system is required for each X-ray tube. This not only increases manufacturing costs and occupies a larger space, but also reduces the reliability of the cooling system due to the increased number of components.

[0003] Therefore, there is a need to improve existing cooling systems for image-guided therapy systems. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned defects in the prior art and provide a cooling system for an image-guided therapy system, which can reduce manufacturing costs, reduce occupied space, and increase reliability.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, a cooling system for an image-guided therapy system is provided, wherein the image-guided therapy system includes a first heating component and a second heating component, wherein the cooling system includes:

[0006] a container for containing a cooling fluid;

[0007] a pump for pumping cooling fluid from the container to a first cooling branch passing through the first heat-generating component and a second cooling branch passing through the second heat-generating component;

[0008] a fluid distribution device for distributing cooling fluid from the pump to the first cooling branch and the second cooling branch; and

[0009] A heat exchanger, wherein the cooling fluid flowing through the first heat-generating component in the first cooling branch and the cooling fluid flowing through the second heat-generating component in the second cooling branch both flow through the heat exchanger and then flow back to the container.

[0010] Preferably, the fluid distribution device comprises:

[0011] case;

[0012] a fluid distribution chamber formed in the housing;

[0013] an inflow channel, a first outflow channel, and a second outflow channel formed in the housing and communicating with the fluid distribution chamber, the inflow channel being connected to the pump via a pipeline, the first outflow channel being communicated with the fluid distribution chamber via a first orifice formed at one end of the fluid distribution chamber and being connected to the first cooling branch at the other end, and the second outflow channel being communicated with the fluid distribution chamber via a second orifice formed at the opposite end of the fluid distribution chamber and being connected to the second cooling branch at the other end;

[0014] A plunger is disposed in the housing, the plunger comprising a centrally located main body portion having a diameter larger than the first orifice and the second orifice, a first elongated portion having a diameter smaller than the first orifice and extending through the first orifice, and a second elongated portion having a diameter smaller than the second orifice and extending through the second orifice, the main body portion being maintained in a central position in the fluid dispensing chamber by a first spring and a second spring disposed at both ends of the plunger;

[0015] a first internal flow passage formed in the housing downstream of the first orifice connecting the first outflow passage to the first end of the plunger; and

[0016] A second internal flow passage is formed in the housing downstream of the second orifice connecting the second outflow passage to the second end of the plunger.

[0017] Preferably, the outer surfaces at both ends of the main body and the inner surfaces at both ends of the fluid distribution chamber are formed as conical contact surfaces.

[0018] Preferably, the first end of the plunger has a larger diameter than the first elongated portion, and the second end of the plunger has a larger diameter than the second elongated portion.

[0019] Preferably, the fluid distribution device comprises:

[0020] A first flow meter and a second flow meter arranged in parallel;

[0021] a first solenoid valve disposed downstream of the first flow meter and a second solenoid valve disposed downstream of the second flow meter; and

[0022] A control module is electrically connected to the first flow meter, the second flow meter, the first solenoid valve, and the second solenoid valve, and the control module controls the opening of the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve based on electrical signals from the first flow meter and the second flow meter.

[0023] Preferably, the fluid distribution device is used to distribute the cooling fluid to the first cooling branch and the second cooling branch in a balanced manner.

[0024] Preferably, the cooling system further comprises:

[0025] a first flow switch and a first temperature switch located downstream of the first heat-generating component in the first cooling branch;

[0026] A second flow switch and a second temperature switch are located downstream of the second heat-generating component in the second cooling branch.

[0027] Preferably, the cooling system further comprises a relief valve provided on a pipeline connecting a pipeline downstream of the pump and upstream of the fluid distribution device with the container.

[0028] Preferably, the first flow switch, the first temperature switch, the second flow switch, the second temperature switch and the overflow valve are integrated into a functional module.

[0029] Preferably, the image-guided therapy system is a dual-plane image-guided radiotherapy system comprising two C-shaped arms, and the first heating component and the second heating component are X-ray tubes respectively arranged in each of the C-shaped arms.

[0030] The cooling system for an image-guided therapy system according to the present invention utilizes only one container, one pump, one heat exchanger, and one fan to simultaneously cool two heat-generating components of the image-guided therapy system. Consequently, at least one container, one pump, one heat exchanger, and one fan are omitted. This not only reduces manufacturing costs and space requirements, but also increases the reliability of the cooling system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a cooling system for an image-guided therapy system according to the present invention;

[0032] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a fluid distribution device for a cooling system of an image-guided therapy system according to the present invention;

[0033] Figure 3 The plunger of the fluid dispensing device according to the present invention is shown alone;

[0034] Figure 4 is with Figure 2 A similar diagram showing a state where the fluid pressure to the left of the plunger is greater than the fluid pressure to the right of the plunger; and

[0035] Figure 5 Another embodiment of the fluid distribution device according to the present invention is schematically shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that the accompanying drawings are only used to illustrate the present invention and do not constitute a limitation to the present invention.

[0037] Figure 1 FIG is a schematic diagram of a cooling system for an image-guided therapy system according to the present invention. Figure 1 As shown, a cooling system 1 for an image-guided therapy system according to the present invention includes a container 3 for containing a cooling fluid (such as cooling oil), and a pump 5 for pumping the cooling fluid from the container 3 to a first cooling branch L1 and a second cooling branch L2. The first cooling branch L1 passes through a first heat-generating component 7 (the X-ray tube on one C-arm of the biplane image-guided therapy system), while the second cooling branch L2 passes through a second heat-generating component 9 (the X-ray tube on the other C-arm of the biplane image-guided therapy system). This allows the cooling fluid flowing through the first cooling branch L1 to cool the first heat-generating component 7, and the cooling fluid flowing through the second cooling branch L2 to cool the second heat-generating component 9. The cooling system 1 also includes a heat exchanger 11. The cooling fluid flowing through the first heat-generating component 7 in the first cooling branch L1 and the cooling fluid flowing through the second heat-generating component 9 in the second cooling branch L2 both pass through the heat exchanger 11 and then flow back to the container 3. The heat exchanger 11 dissipates heat and cools the cooling fluid that has passed through the first heat-generating component 7 and the second heat-generating component 9 by, for example, convection, so that the fluid can flow back to the container 3 for recycling. In order to accelerate air convection around the heat exchanger 11 and improve heat dissipation efficiency, a fan (not shown in the figure) can be provided near the heat exchanger 11.

[0038] It is very important that the cooling fluid pumped by the pump 5 is simultaneously and evenly supplied to the first cooling branch L1 and the second cooling branch L2 to achieve cooling of the first heat-generating component 7 and the second heat-generating component 9 and to ensure the normal operation of the image-guided therapy system. To this end, the cooling system 1 also includes a fluid distribution device 13 for evenly distributing the cooling fluid pumped by the pump 5 to the first cooling branch L1 and the second cooling branch L2. Figure 2FIG is a schematic diagram of a fluid distribution device for a cooling system of an image-guided therapy system according to the present invention. Figure 2 As shown, the fluid distribution device 13 includes a housing 15, a fluid distribution chamber 17 formed in the housing 15, and an inlet channel 19, a first outlet channel 21, and a second outlet channel 23 formed in the housing 15 and communicating with the fluid distribution chamber 17. The inlet channel 19 is connected to the pump 5 via a pipeline L to receive the cooling fluid output by the pump 5. The first outlet channel 21 communicates with the fluid distribution chamber 17 at one end through a first orifice 25 formed at one end of the fluid distribution chamber 17 and is connected to the first cooling branch L1 at the other end to transport the cooling fluid from the fluid distribution chamber 17 to the first cooling branch L1. The second outlet channel 23 communicates with the fluid distribution chamber 17 at one end through a second orifice 27 formed at the opposite end of the fluid distribution chamber 17 and is connected to the second cooling branch L2 at the other end to transport the cooling fluid from the fluid distribution chamber 17 to the second cooling branch L2. The fluid dispensing device 13 further includes a plunger 29 disposed in the housing 15. The plunger 29 includes a centrally located main body 29a having a larger diameter than the first orifice 25 and the second orifice 27, a first elongated portion 29b having a smaller diameter than the first orifice 25 and extending through the first orifice 25, and a second elongated portion 29c having a smaller diameter than the second orifice 27 and extending through the second orifice 27. The plunger 29 is provided with a first spring 31 and a second spring 33 at both ends. The first spring 31 and the second spring 33 are preferably identical springs. The first spring 31 and the second spring 33 maintain the main body 29a of the plunger 29 in a centered position within the fluid dispensing chamber 17 under the action of the first spring 31 and the second spring 33. At this time, the first orifice 25 and the second orifice 27 have the same effective opening area. The fluid dispensing device 13 further includes a first internal flow passage 35 formed in the housing 15 downstream of the first orifice 25 to connect the first outflow channel 21 with the first end of the plunger 29 (i.e., the end of the plunger 29 in contact with the first spring 31), and a second internal flow passage 37 formed in the housing 15 downstream of the second orifice 27 to connect the second outflow channel 23 with the second end of the plunger 29 (i.e., the end of the plunger 29 in contact with the second spring 33). The first internal flow passage 35 allows the fluid pressure in the first outflow channel 21 to be maintained at the same level as the fluid pressure at the first end of the plunger 29, and the second internal flow passage 37 allows the fluid pressure in the second outflow channel 23 to be maintained at the same level as the fluid pressure at the second end of the plunger 29.

[0039] Figure 3 The plunger of the fluid dispensing device according to the present invention is shown separately. Although the main body 29a of the plunger 29 and the fluid dispensing chamber 17 can be formed into a standard cylindrical shape, the outer surfaces of the main body 29a of the plunger 29 and the inner surfaces of the fluid dispensing chamber 17 are preferably as follows: Figure 3The contact surface is formed into a conical shape so that the opening size of the first orifice 25 and the second orifice 27 can be more effectively adjusted. In addition, in order to make the fluid dispensing device more sensitive, the first end 29d of the plunger 29 that contacts the first spring 31 can have a larger diameter than the first elongated portion 29b, and the second end 29e of the plunger 29 that contacts the second spring 33 can have a larger diameter than the second elongated portion 29c.

[0040] The following will refer to Figure 4 The operation of the cooling system for an image-guided therapy system according to the present invention will be described. Figure 4 is with Figure 2 A similar schematic diagram shows a state where the fluid pressure on the left side of the plunger is greater than the fluid pressure on the right side of the plunger. Ideally, the fluid flow resistance in the first cooling branch L1 and the second cooling branch L2 is the same, and the cooling fluid from the pump 5 is evenly distributed to the first cooling branch L1 and the second cooling branch L2 after passing through the fluid distribution device. When the fluid flow resistance in the first cooling branch L1 and the second cooling branch L2 becomes different, for example, when the fluid flow resistance in the second cooling branch L2 is greater than the fluid flow resistance in the first cooling branch L1, the first internal flow channel 35 keeps the fluid pressure in the first outflow channel 21 connected to the first cooling branch L1 the same as the fluid pressure at the first end of the plunger 29, and the second internal flow channel 37 connected to the second cooling branch L2 keeps the fluid pressure in the second outflow channel 23 the same as the fluid pressure at the second end of the plunger 29, which means that the fluid pressure acting on the second end 29e of the plunger 29 is greater than the fluid pressure acting on the first end 29d of the plunger 29, and the plunger 29 moves toward the second end 29e under the action of the fluid pressure. Figure 4 The pressure regulating device 13 moves to the right, increasing the effective opening area of the second orifice 27 and decreasing the effective opening area of the first orifice 25. This ultimately makes the fluid flow resistance of the first cooling circuit, including the first orifice and the first cooling branch, roughly equal to the fluid flow resistance of the second cooling circuit, including the second orifice and the second cooling branch. A similar situation occurs when the fluid flow resistance in the first cooling branch L1 is greater than the fluid flow resistance in the second cooling branch L2. This pressure regulation process is performed dynamically and in real time in the fluid distribution device 13, thereby ensuring that the cooling fluid from the pump 5 is evenly distributed to the first cooling branch L1 and the second cooling branch L2 after passing through the fluid distribution device.

[0041] Figure 5 Another embodiment of the fluid distribution device according to the present invention is schematically shown. Figure 4 Different from the mechanical fluid distribution device in Figure 5 An electromagnetic fluid distribution device is shown. Figure 5As shown, a fluid distribution device 13 according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a first flow meter 39 and a second flow meter 41 arranged in parallel, a first solenoid valve 43 arranged downstream of the first flow meter 39, a second solenoid valve 45 arranged downstream of the second flow meter 41, and a control module 47 electrically connected to the first flow meter 39, the second flow meter 41, the first solenoid valve 43, and the second solenoid valve 45. The cooling fluid from the pump 5 flows through the first flow meter 39 and the second flow meter 41, respectively. The first flow meter 39 and the second flow meter 41 transmit measured electrical signals representing the flow rate of the cooling fluid to the control module 47. The control module 47 controls the opening degrees of the first solenoid valve 43 and the second solenoid valve 45 based on the signals from the first flow meter 39 and the second flow meter 41 to ensure that the cooling fluid flow rates measured by the first flow meter 39 and the second flow meter 41 are substantially the same. The control module 47 can dynamically control and adjust the first flow meter 39 and the second flow meter 41 in real time, ensuring that the cooling fluid from the pump 5 is evenly distributed to the first cooling branch L1 and the second cooling branch L2 after passing through the fluid distribution device.

[0042] In most cases, the cooling fluid needs to be evenly distributed between the first cooling branch L1 and the second cooling branch L2. However, if the power of the first heat-generating component 7 and the second heat-generating component 9 is significantly different, the cooling requirements of the first cooling branch L1 and the second cooling branch L2 may also be different. In this case, the control module 47 can compare the flow rates measured by the first flowmeter 39 and the second flowmeter 41 with the set cooling requirements to control the openings of the first solenoid valve 43 and the second solenoid valve 45 to ensure that the cooling fluid delivered to the first cooling branch and the second cooling branch meets the corresponding cooling requirements.

[0043] The cooling system 1 for an image-guided therapy system according to the present invention may further include an exhaust valve 49 in communication with the container 3 and the pump 5 to facilitate exhaust of gases from the cooling system. The cooling system 1 may further include a first filter 51 disposed in the first cooling branch L1, downstream of the first heat-generating component 7, and a second filter 53 disposed in the second cooling branch L2, downstream of the second heat-generating component 9, to filter out impurities from the cooling fluid. The cooling system 1 may further include a first flow switch 55 and a first temperature switch 57 disposed in the first cooling branch L1, downstream of the first heat-generating component 7, and a second flow switch 59 and a second temperature switch 61 disposed in the second cooling branch L2, downstream of the second heat-generating component 9. If the cooling fluid flow rate through the first cooling branch L1 measured by the first flow switch 55 falls below a predetermined flow rate, or if the cooling fluid temperature through the first cooling branch L1 measured by the first temperature switch 57 rises above a predetermined temperature, the first flow switch 55 or the first temperature switch 57 triggers the control system of the image-guided therapy system to issue an alarm signal, causing the first heat-generating component 7, such as an X-ray tube, to cease exposure. Similarly, if the flow rate of the cooling fluid flowing through the second cooling branch L2 measured by the second flow switch 59 is lower than a predetermined flow rate or the temperature of the cooling fluid flowing through the second cooling branch L2 measured by the second temperature switch 61 is higher than a predetermined temperature, the second flow switch 59 or the second temperature switch 61 will trigger the control system of the image-guided therapy system to send an alarm signal, so that the second heat-generating component 9 such as the X-ray tube stops exposing. The cooling system 1 may also include an overflow valve 63 provided on the pipeline connecting the pipeline L downstream of the pump 5 and upstream of the fluid distribution device 13 with the container 3 to limit the maximum fluid pressure of the cooling system to a predetermined threshold value. In addition, it may also include a maximum fluid pressure value set when the pump 5 is connected. As needed, the first flow switch 55, the first temperature switch 57, the second flow switch 59, the second temperature switch 61 and the overflow valve 63 may be integrated into a functional module to simplify the installation and configuration of the entire cooling system.

[0044] The cooling system for an image-guided therapy system according to the present invention can simultaneously cool two heat-generating components of the system, eliminating at least one container, one pump, one heat exchanger, and one fan. This not only reduces manufacturing costs and space requirements, but also increases the reliability of the cooling system.

[0045] Although the present invention has been described in detail in conjunction with its preferred embodiments, it should be understood that this detailed description is intended solely to explain the present invention and does not constitute a limitation thereof. For example, the cooling system according to the present invention may also be used to cool heat-generating components of image-guided therapy systems that utilize MR and PET imaging devices. The scope of the present invention is determined by the technical solutions defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A cooling system for an image-guided therapy system, the image-guided therapy system comprising a first heating component (7) and a second heating component (9), characterized in that: The cooling system comprises: a container (3) for containing a cooling fluid; a pump (5) for pumping cooling fluid from the container (3) to a first cooling branch (L1) passing through the first heat-generating component (7) and a second cooling branch (L2) passing through the second heat-generating component (9); a fluid distribution device (13) for distributing the cooling fluid from the pump (5) to the first cooling branch (L1) and the second cooling branch (L2); and A heat exchanger (11), wherein the cooling fluid flowing through the first heat-generating component (7) in the first cooling branch (L1) and the cooling fluid flowing through the second heat-generating component (9) in the second cooling branch (L2) both flow through the heat exchanger (11) and then flow back to the container (3).

2. The cooling system for an image-guided therapy system according to claim 1, wherein: The fluid distribution device (13) comprises: Housing (15); a fluid distribution chamber (17) formed in the housing (15); an inflow channel (19), a first outflow channel (21), and a second outflow channel (23) formed in the housing (15) and communicating with the fluid distribution chamber (17), wherein the inflow channel (19) is connected to the pump (5) via a pipeline (L), the first outflow channel (21) is communicated with the fluid distribution chamber (17) via a first orifice (25) formed at one end of the fluid distribution chamber (17) and is connected to the first cooling branch (L1) at the other end, and the second outflow channel (23) is communicated with the fluid distribution chamber (17) via a second orifice (27) formed at the opposite end of the fluid distribution chamber (17) and is connected to the second cooling branch (L2) at the other end; a plunger (29) disposed in the housing (15), the plunger (29) comprising a main body (29a) located in the center and having a diameter larger than the first orifice (25) and the second orifice (27), a first elongated portion (29b) having a diameter smaller than the first orifice (25) and extending through the first orifice (25), and a second elongated portion (29c) having a diameter smaller than the second orifice (27) and extending through the second orifice (27), the plunger (29) being maintained in a central position in the fluid dispensing chamber (17) by a first spring (31) and a second spring (33) disposed at both ends thereof; a first internal flow passage (35) formed in the housing (15) downstream of the first orifice (25) to connect the first outflow passage (21) with the first end of the plunger (29); and A second internal flow passage (37) is formed in the housing (15) downstream of the second orifice (27) to connect the second outflow passage (23) with the second end of the plunger (29).

3. The cooling system for an image-guided therapy system according to claim 2, wherein: The outer surfaces at both ends of the main body (29a) and the inner surfaces at both ends of the fluid distribution chamber (17) are formed into conical contact surfaces.

4. The cooling system for an image-guided therapy system according to claim 2, wherein: The first end portion (29d) of the plunger has a larger diameter than the first elongated portion (29b), and the second end portion (29e) of the plunger (29) has a larger diameter than the second elongated portion (29c).

5. The cooling system for an image-guided therapy system according to claim 1, wherein: The fluid distribution device (13) comprises: A first flow meter (39) and a second flow meter (41) arranged in parallel; a first solenoid valve (43) disposed downstream of the first flow meter (39) and a second solenoid valve (45) disposed downstream of the second flow meter (41); and A control module (47) is electrically connected to the first flow meter (39), the second flow meter (41), the first solenoid valve (43) and the second solenoid valve (45), and the control module (47) controls the opening of the first solenoid valve (43) and the second solenoid valve (45) based on the electrical signals from the first flow meter (39) and the second flow meter (41).

6. The cooling system for an image-guided therapy system according to claim 1, wherein: The fluid distribution device (13) is used to distribute the cooling fluid to the first cooling branch (L1) and the second cooling branch (L2) in a balanced manner.

7. The cooling system for an image-guided therapy system according to claim 1, wherein: The cooling system further comprises: a first flow switch (55) and a first temperature switch (57) located downstream of the first heat-generating component (7) in the first cooling branch (L1); A second flow switch (59) and a second temperature switch (61) are located downstream of the second heat-generating component (9) in the second cooling branch (L2).

8. The cooling system for an image-guided therapy system according to claim 7, wherein: The cooling system further comprises an overflow valve (63) provided on a pipeline connecting a pipeline downstream of the pump (5) and upstream of the fluid distribution device (13) with the container (3).

9. The cooling system for an image-guided therapy system according to claim 8, wherein: The first flow switch (55), the first temperature switch (57), the second flow switch (59), the second temperature switch (61) and the overflow valve (63) are integrated into a functional module.

10. The cooling system for an image-guided therapy system according to claim 1, wherein: The image-guided therapy system is a dual-plane image-guided radiotherapy system comprising two C-shaped arms, wherein the first heating component (7) and the second heating component (9) are X-ray tubes respectively arranged in each of the C-shaped arms.

Images