Frame of computed tomography system

Abstract

The present application relates to a gantry (2) for a computed tomography system (1), comprising a rotatable recording part (3) with a recording system (4, 5) and a stationary part (S), in which the recording part (3) has a number of air outlets (A) of a cooling system and the stationary part has a fan assembly (12), the fan assembly is designed to generate a negative pressure at the air outlet (A) in a predetermined parking position of the recording part (3).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to a gantry for a computer tomography system ("CT system") and a computer tomography system with the gantry. Background Art

[0002] Computed tomography ("CT") is an established method in medicine and can represent organs in three dimensions by recording a large number of X-ray projection images. During the recording process, radiation from a radiation source strikes a detector and is measured there.

[0003] A detector system ("DMS") for CT systems typically consists of multiple modules with the electronics required to convert the detected X-rays into electrical signals. Depending on the detector type and its functional principle, these components can include sensors made of different materials or different types of electronic components (e.g., photodiodes).

[0004] During normal detector operation, these components generate waste heat that must be removed using a cooling system to prevent overheating. It's desirable to operate the detector within an optimal temperature range. To this end, cooling air is typically directed through the detector. For all components mounted in the rotating part of a CT system, cooling air is directed centrally through air ducts and flows through the detector from its screw-in surface to its front face.

[0005] Cooling air is forced through the cooler by a central fan and blown into the CT system's central air duct. The detector module is equipped with heat sinks to transfer the heat generated in the sensor to the cooling air flowing past as efficiently as possible. The module's heat sinks create flow resistance, which limits the amount of cooling air that can flow through.

[0006] Thermal crises occur especially when the CT system is at a standstill, i.e. when the gantry is not rotating. Experience has shown that at higher rotational speeds, the cooling effect is greater due to dynamic flow effects that improve the flow of cooling air through the detector.

[0007] One of the problems is that in order to ensure adequate cooling when the system is stopped, the system cooling system must be relatively large. In addition, the central fan must run at full capacity, which generates considerable noise. Utility Model Content

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a gantry and a computed tomography system, wherein effective cooling can be achieved even when the gantry is in a stopped state.

[0009] This object is achieved by a gantry and a computed tomography system according to the present invention.

[0010] A gantry for a computed tomography imaging system according to the present invention comprises a rotatable recording component having a recording system (also referred to as a "rotating body") and a stationary component, wherein the recording component has a certain number of air outlets for the cooling system, and the stationary component has a fan assembly designed to generate a negative pressure at the air outlets when the recording component is in a predetermined parking position.

[0011] A rack having a stationary component and a rotatable recording unit with its own air outlet is known in the prior art. Such racks typically include a cooling system in the recording unit, including a central fan and ventilation ducts, as described above. The central fan blows air through the ventilation ducts, which absorbs heat from the components and is then discharged through the air outlets. The air outlets are typically circular or slotted holes.

[0012] Under the situation that the wall of stationary part is positioned at the air outlet front of recording part in parking position, the wall of stationary part is preferably open there or also comprises air outlet.In this case, the air outlet of two parts should overlap completely.

[0013] During recording, the recording element rotates around its axis of rotation, typically positioned above the patient. This generates additional airflow that supports active cooling. In theory, passive cooling could also be achieved by having a recording element with specially shaped air inlets, through which air is forced into the recording element by the rotation.

[0014] For each CT system, the parking position of the recording unit when stopped can be determined. Alternatively, the parking position is predetermined, and the control device operates the recording unit so that it always occupies the parking position when stopped. Or, at least, the parking position in which the recording unit should be positioned when stopped can be specified. If the recording unit is in the parking position, the position of its gas outlet is automatically determined.

[0015] The special feature of the present invention is the fan assembly on the stationary component. As the name suggests, the fan assembly includes a certain number of fans, preferably a plurality of fans, and is designed to generate a negative pressure at the air outlet when the recording component is in a known parking position.

[0016] "Design" here specifically refers to the choice of fan type and its spatial arrangement. For example, an axial fan can be placed above the air outlet and direct air outward. However, a radial fan can also be placed to blow air past the outlet. Both approaches create negative pressure at the outlet.

[0017] The advantage over the prior art is that this negative pressure supports the operation of the central fan or, in the case of passive rack cooling, enables complete cooling when the rack is idle. This reduces the back pressure on the detector at the cooling air outlet, improving the flow of cooling air through the detector, particularly when the rack is in a thermally critical idle state.

[0018] If the cooling is sufficient when the rack is in a stopped state, the air outlet can be designed to be tighter due to the negative pressure, or the heat sink density of the module can be increased to better dissipate heat.

[0019] The fan assembly, also known as a "fan pack," is preferably mounted on a fixed portion of the rack directly opposite the DMS's parking location, as the air outlet is typically located there. The fan pack preferably consists of a plurality of axial fans, which require relatively little installation space. Other fan types, such as radial fans, are also possible.

[0020] The computed tomography system according to the present invention includes a rack according to the present invention. Preferably, the computed tomography system further includes a control device configured to energize the fan assembly when the rack is in a stopped state. Due to the reduced backpressure at the air outlet, additional cooling air is delivered through the detector. This allows for a more compact arrangement of heat sinks on the modules, as the resulting increase in backpressure is compensated by the fan assembly.

[0021] Furthermore, particularly advantageous refinements and further developments of the invention are apparent from the following description, wherein individual features of different exemplary embodiments or variants can in particular also be combined to form new exemplary embodiments or variants.

[0022] The fan assembly preferably includes a plurality of fans. These fans are preferably arranged adjacent to one another, in particular so that they cover more than 50%, and in particular more than 70%, of the surface of the air outlet. The air outlet is preferably formed in the area of ​​the recording component, and the fans of the fan assembly completely cover this area. This creates a negative pressure over substantially the entire area of ​​the air outlet.

[0023] The fan assembly preferably comprises a number of axial fans which are preferably arranged such that they move air away from the air outlet, more precisely from the position where the air outlet is located in the park position.

[0024] The recording element preferably has a ring-shaped or hollow cylindrical shape. The air outlet is preferably arranged at an end face or side face of the ring-shaped or hollow cylindrical shape. Preferably, the fan assembly directs air parallel to the axis of rotation of the frame, particularly when the air outlet is arranged at an end face of the ring-shaped or hollow cylindrical shape, or directs air perpendicular to the axis of rotation, particularly when the air outlet is arranged on a side face of the ring-shaped or hollow cylindrical shape.

[0025] The air outlet is preferably arranged on a flat surface of the recording element.The fan of the fan assembly is preferably arranged on a plane parallel to the surface.

[0026] Preferably, the fan assembly is arranged such that it generates an air flow away from the air outlet perpendicular to the surface of the air outlet.

[0027] In an alternative embodiment, the fan assembly is arranged to generate an air flow that flows parallel to the surface of the air outlet. In this embodiment, a number of radial fans are preferably used.

[0028] Preferably, the fan assembly comprises a ventilation channel, which is designed so that they guide air from the air outlet of the recording component until a certain number of fans of the fan assembly. For this purpose, the fan assembly can comprise a (large) fan or a plurality of (smaller) fans that blow air out from the (large) ventilation channel, and a plurality of (smaller) fans blow air out from the (large) ventilation channel together or respectively from a separate (smaller) ventilation channel. The fan assembly can thus be installed externally and utilize the ventilation channel to inhale the air in front of the air outlet.

[0029] The air outlet is preferably arranged in the region of the radiation detector (DMS) of the recording element. This enables the heated air to be removed very quickly from the thermally critical part of the recording element. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The following is a more detailed explanation of embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. Identical components are given the same reference numerals in different drawings. These drawings are generally not to scale. It can be seen that:

[0031] Figure 1 This is a rough schematic diagram of the CT system.

[0032] Figure 2 A rack according to the prior art is shown in a top view,

[0033] Figure 3 A side view of a rack according to the prior art is shown,

[0034] Figure 4 The frame according to the present invention is shown in a top view.

[0035] Figure 5The frame according to the present invention is shown in a side view. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Figure 1 An embodiment of a computed tomography system (CT system) 1 is shown, which includes a radiation detector 4 and a radiation source 5. The radiation source 5 is designed to irradiate the radiation detector 4 with radiation. The CT system 1 shown includes a gantry 2 having a rotating body 3 (recording unit 3). The rotating body 3 includes an X-ray source as the radiation source 5 and the radiation detector 4, which is designed to detect X-rays and is arranged behind an air outlet A for cooling the radiation detector 4.

[0037] The rotating body 3 can rotate about an axis of rotation 8, which can also be considered as the longitudinal axis 8 of the patient. The patient 6 is supported on a patient bed 7 and can be moved through the gantry 2 along the axis of rotation 8. In order to control the imaging system 1 and / or generate image data sets based on the signals detected by the radiation detector 4, a computing unit 9 is provided, which also serves as a control device 9.

[0038] With the rotating recording element 3, a number of recordings from a plurality of angular directions are typically recorded as a raw data set of the patient (object) 6 by means of a radiation detector 4. The final image data set can then be reconstructed based on the raw data set by means of mathematical methods, such as filtered back projection or iterative reconstruction methods.

[0039] Furthermore, an input device 10 and an output device 11 are connected to the computing device 9. The input device 10 and the output device 11 can, for example, enable the display of image data sets generated by user interaction or output a determined problem solution.

[0040] Figure 2 and Figure 3 One is shown in a top view and the other in a side view, for example Figure 1 gantry 2 is shown in perspective in FIG. X-rays R are emitted by a radiation source 5 and pass through a potential patient 6 onto a radiation detector 4. Heat generated by the operation of the radiation detector 4 is discharged via an air flow (arrows) through air outlets A present in the recording unit 3 and the stationary unit S. The air flow is generated by a central fan Z in the recording unit.

[0041] In this example, the central fan Z is arranged laterally on the detector. A plurality of central fans Z can also be located behind the radiation detector 4 (i.e. Figure 3 The air is blown directly toward the air outlet A.

[0042] Figure 4 and Figure 5 A top view and a side view show the rack 2 according to the present invention. Figure 2and 3 A modification of the rack 2 of FIG. 1 in which a fan assembly L according to the present invention has been added to the stationary part S. It is designed so that a negative pressure is generated at the air outlet A in the parking position in which the recording part 3 is currently located.

[0043] For this purpose, the fan assembly 12 includes a plurality of axial fans L, which are arranged side by side here, slightly offset from each other, so as to optimally cover the air outlet A and move air out of the air outlet A. The air outlet A is located on the flat surface of the recording element 3, and the fans L of the fan assembly 12 are arranged in a plane parallel to this surface. Alternatively, the fans L can also be arranged slightly away from the air outlet A, and the inlet of the ventilation channel can be located there (the fans L are shown here), the inlet of the ventilation channel being designed so that it guides air from the air outlet A to the fans L.

[0044] Finally, it should be noted again that the drawings described in detail above are merely exemplary embodiments, and those skilled in the art may modify the exemplary embodiments in various ways without departing from the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the use of the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude the possibility that the relevant feature may appear multiple times. The terms "unit" and "device" do not exclude the possibility that the relevant component may be composed of multiple interacting subcomponents, which may also be spatially distributed if necessary. The expression "a certain number" should be understood as "at least one."

Claims

1. A rack (2) for a computed tomography system (1), characterized in that The rack comprises a rotatable recording component (3) having a recording system and a stationary component (S), wherein the recording component (3) has a certain number of air outlets (A) of a cooling system, and the stationary component has a fan assembly (12) designed to generate a negative pressure at the air outlets (A) in a predetermined parking position of the recording component (3).

2. The rack according to claim 1, wherein: The fan assembly (12) includes a plurality of fans (L).

3. The rack according to claim 2, wherein: The plurality of fans are arranged adjacent to each other.

4. The rack according to claim 2, wherein: The air outlet (A) is formed on an area of ​​the recording part (3), and the plurality of fans (L) of the fan assembly (12) completely cover the area.

5. The frame according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The fan assembly (12) includes a certain number of axial flow fans (L).

6. The rack according to claim 5, wherein: The axial fan is arranged such that it moves air away from the air outlet (A).

7. The frame according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The recording member (3) has a ring or hollow cylindrical shape, and the air outlet (A) is arranged at an end surface or a side surface.

8. The frame according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The air outlet (A) is arranged on a flat surface of the recording member (3).

9. The rack according to claim 8, wherein: The fan (L) of the fan assembly (12) is arranged on a plane parallel to the surface.

10. The frame according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The fan assembly (12) is arranged so that it generates an air flow away from the air outlet (A) perpendicular to the surface of the air outlet.

11. The frame according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The fan assembly (12) comprises a plurality of ventilation channels designed such that they guide air from the air outlet (A) of the recording component (3) to a certain number of fans (L) of the fan assembly (12).

12. The frame according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The gas outlet (A) is arranged in the region of the radiation detector (4) of the recording element (3).

13. A computer tomography system (1), characterized in that The computed tomography system comprises a gantry (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. The computer tomography system according to claim 13, wherein: The computed tomography system comprises a control device (9) designed such that the control device energizes the fan assembly (12) when the gantry is in a stopped state.

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