Cooling system for cooling a gantry of a medical imaging device

Abstract

Cooling system (1) for cooling a gantry (20) of a medical imaging device (2), - wherein the cooling system (1) comprises an air-to-water heat exchanger (GX) and a cooling water mixing unit (H), - wherein the cooling water mixing unit (H) is designed to divert warmer cooling water from a cooling water return of the air-water heat exchanger (GX) and mix it with colder cooling water and supply the cooling water thus mixed to a cooling water supply of the air-water heat exchanger (GX).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cooling system for cooling a gantry of a medical imaging device.

[0002] The following documents are considered state of the art: DE 10 2023 202 703 A1, DE 10 2023 206 164 A1 and US 11 197 650 B2.

[0003] Medical imaging equipment may require cooling. Depending on the application, air-to-water heat exchangers are used for this purpose. A mass airflow absorbs the waste heat from the objects being cooled and transfers it to the cooling water via the heat exchanger. When humid air flows over an air-to-water heat exchanger and cools down, the dew point is reached at a certain temperature. This results in the formation of droplets. These droplets may need to be avoided.

[0004] The invention aims to enable the cooling of a gantry of a medical imaging device, particularly as an alternative to known solutions. The independent claims relate to solutions to this problem. The dependent claims relate to specific embodiments of these solutions. Regardless of the grammatical gender of a given term, persons of male, female, or other gender identities are included.

[0005] The invention relates to a cooling system for cooling a gantry of a medical imaging device, wherein the cooling system comprises an air-water heat exchanger and a cooling water mixing unit, wherein the cooling water mixing unit is configured to divert warmer cooling water from a cooling water return of the air-water heat exchanger and mix it with colder cooling water and supply the cooling water thus mixed to a cooling water supply of the air-water heat exchanger.

[0006] In this way, the waste heat from the device being cooled can be used to raise the cooling water temperature in the cooling water supply line of the device being cooled. Specifically, the waste heat from the cooling water return of the air-to-water heat exchanger can be used to raise the cooling water temperature in the cooling water supply line of the air-to-water heat exchanger. This can particularly reduce condensation on the air-to-water heat exchanger. This solution is more energy-efficient compared to heating the cooling water with additional heating elements. Furthermore, virtually no modifications to the building's chilled water supply system are required.

[0007] An increase in the air mass flow through the air-water heat exchanger to prevent the dew point from being undershot is not necessary, but can be combined with the proposed solution if the relevant boundary conditions such as installation space, fan size and / or humidity allow it.

[0008] One embodiment provides that the cooling water mixing unit has a mixing valve for adjusting a mixing ratio between the warmer cooling water and the colder cooling water.

[0009] One embodiment provides that the cooling system has a temperature sensor for recording temperature data relating to the temperature of the mixed cooling water, wherein the mixing valve forms an actuator of a temperature control loop for regulating the temperature of the mixed cooling water to a temperature setpoint based on the temperature data.

[0010] One embodiment provides that the cooling system includes a pump for driving a flow of cooling water. In particular, the cooling water flow may include the cooling water return and / or the cooling water supply. Specifically, the cooling water flow may also pass through the air-to-water heat exchanger and / or the cooling water mixing unit.

[0011] One embodiment provides that the air-to-water heat exchanger is arranged on the suction side relative to the pump, with the cooling water mixing unit arranged on the pressure side relative to the pump. Other arrangements of the pump and / or a further pump, particularly for driving a specific section and / or partial flow of the cooling water stream, are fundamentally possible. In particular, the cooling system may include a further pump and / or the further pump may be arranged in the gantry of the medical imaging device. In particular, the air-to-water heat exchanger may be arranged on the pressure side relative to the further pump and / or the cooling water mixing unit may be arranged on the suction side relative to the further pump.

[0012] One embodiment provides that the cooling system includes a flow sensor for acquiring flow data relating to the flow of the mixed cooling water, with the pump acting as an actuator for adjusting the flow rate of the cooling water. Adjusting the flow rate of the cooling water can, for example, be based on the flow data. In particular, the actuator for adjusting the flow rate of the cooling water can be an actuator of a flow control loop for regulating the flow rate of the mixed cooling water to a setpoint based on the flow data.

[0013] One embodiment provides that the cooling system has a water-to-water heat exchanger, wherein the cooling water return flows into the water-to-water heat exchanger on the heat source side after the branching off of the warmer cooling water and flows out of the water-to-water heat exchanger as the colder cooling water. In particular, the water-to-water heat exchanger can be configured for a heat sink-side connection to a cold water supply network.

[0014] One embodiment provides that the cooling water mixing unit has a housing to separate an interior area of ​​the cooling water mixing unit from its surroundings, wherein the gantry of the medical imaging device is arranged in the surroundings of the cooling water mixing unit, and the air-to-water heat exchanger is arranged in the gantry of the medical imaging device and / or outside the housing. In particular, it may be provided that the pump and / or the water-to-water heat exchanger is arranged in the interior area of ​​the cooling water mixing unit. In particular, it may be provided that the mixing valve and / or the temperature sensor is arranged in the interior area of ​​the cooling water mixing unit.

[0015] The invention further relates to a medical imaging system comprising the cooling system according to the invention and the medical imaging device with the gantry.

[0016] The gantry may, for example, include an air-to-water heat exchanger. The gantry may, for example, include a fan for generating an airflow, the airflow being used to cool a set of gantry components. The set of gantry components may, for example, include an X-ray source and / or an X-ray detector, in particular a photon-counting X-ray detector. The air-to-water heat exchanger may, in particular, be configured to transfer heat from the airflow to the mixed cooling water.

[0017] The invention further relates to the use of the cooling system according to the invention for cooling the gantry of the medical imaging device. In particular, it can be provided that, by means of the cooling water mixing unit, the warmer cooling water is diverted from the cooling water return of the air-water heat exchanger, the warmer cooling water is mixed with the colder cooling water, and the coolant thus mixed is supplied to the cooling water supply of the air-water heat exchanger.

[0018] Furthermore, a method for cooling a gantry of a medical imaging device by means of a cooling system according to the invention is hereby disclosed, the method comprising branching off the warmer cooling water from the cooling water return of the air-water heat exchanger, mixing the warmer cooling water with the colder cooling water and supplying the cooling water so mixed to the cooling water supply of the air-water heat exchanger.

[0019] The medical imaging device can be, for example, a computed tomography (CT) scanner. The medical imaging device can be, for example, an X-ray machine, in particular a computed tomography (CT) scanner, a C-arm X-ray machine, or a fluoroscopy X-ray machine. The medical imaging device can be, for example, an X-ray machine, a molecular imaging (MI) machine, a single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) machine, a positron emission tomography (PET) machine, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine, or a combination thereof, in particular a PET-CT machine or a PET-MR machine. Without limiting the general concept of the invention, a computed tomography scanner is mentioned as an example of a medical imaging device in some of the embodiments.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the medical imaging device has an acquisition unit configured for acquiring acquisition data. In particular, the acquisition unit may include a radiation source and a radiation detector.

[0021] One embodiment provides that the radiation source is configured to emit and / or excite radiation, in particular electromagnetic radiation, and / or that the radiation detector is configured to detect the radiation, in particular electromagnetic radiation. The radiation can, for example, travel from the radiation source to an area to be imaged and / or, after interacting with the area to be imaged, reach the radiation detector.

[0022] When the radiation interacts with the area being imaged, it is modified and thus becomes a carrier of information relating to that area. This information is then captured as acquisition data when the radiation interacts with the detector.

[0023] The gantry of a medical imaging device typically has a supporting structure on which components of the acquisition unit, such as the radiation source and / or the radiation detector, are mounted. The supporting structure of the gantry is particularly stiff and strong enough to ensure that the components of the acquisition unit are arranged on the supporting structure in a geometry sufficiently defined for medical imaging, both relative to each other and relative to the examination area.

[0024] In a computed tomography (CT) scanner, the gantry typically comprises a support frame and a rotor rotatably mounted relative to the support frame, with the radiation source and the radiation detector arranged on the rotor. Optionally, the gantry may have a tilting frame mounted so that it can be tilted relative to the support frame, with the rotor arranged on the tilting frame. In a C-arm X-ray scanner, the gantry typically comprises a support frame and a C-arm pivotally mounted relative to the support frame, with the radiation source and the radiation detector arranged on the C-arm. In a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner, the gantry typically comprises a support frame on which the main magnet and a first high-frequency antenna unit are arranged, the first high-frequency antenna unit being designed in the form of a body coil, also known to those skilled in the art as a "body coil".

[0025] Particularly in a computed tomography scanner and / or a C-arm X-ray scanner, the acquisition data can be projection data, the acquisition unit a projection data acquisition unit, the radiation source an X-ray source, and the radiation detector an X-ray detector. The X-ray detector can, in particular, be a quantum-counting and / or energy-resolving X-ray detector.

[0026] In particular, in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device, the acquisition data can be a magnetic resonance data set, the acquisition unit a magnetic resonance data acquisition unit, the radiation source a first radio frequency antenna unit, the radiation detector the first radio frequency antenna unit and / or a second radio frequency antenna unit.

[0027] Within the scope of the invention, features described in relation to different embodiments of the invention and / or different claim categories (method, use, device, system, arrangement, etc.) can be combined to form further embodiments of the invention. For example, a claim relating to a device can also be further developed with features described or claimed in connection with a method, and vice versa. Functional features of a method can be implemented by appropriately designed physical components. The use of the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not preclude the possibility that the feature in question may be present multiple times.

[0028] The following examples, which may be helpful for understanding the invention and / or the technical problem to be solved, are explained with reference to the attached figures. TheFig. Figure 1 shows a cooling water mixing unit. The Fig. Figure 2 shows an air-to-water heat exchanger in conjunction with a bypass unit. The Fig. Figure 3 shows a cooling system for cooling a gantry of a medical imaging device. The Fig. Figure 4 shows a flowchart of a procedure for cooling a gantry of a medical imaging device.

[0029] The Fig. Figure 1 shows the cooling water mixing unit H, wherein the cooling water mixing unit H has the mixing valve V for adjusting a mixing ratio between the warmer cooling water and the colder cooling water.

[0030] The cooling water mixing unit H has the interface HNK for connection to the cold water supply line NK of the cold water supply network N. The cooling water mixing unit H has the interface HNW for connection to the wastewater line NW of the cold water supply network N. The cooling water mixing unit H has the interface HGK for supplying the cooling water flow to the air-to-water heat exchanger GX. The cooling water mixing unit H has the interface HGW for receiving the cooling water return from the air-to-water heat exchanger GX.

[0031] The Fig. Figure 2 shows the GX air-to-water heat exchanger in conjunction with a bypass unit. In the example shown, the GX air-to-water heat exchanger is designed as a finned-tube heat exchanger with a fan.

[0032] In the example shown, cooling system 1 is provided with a bypass unit which is connected upstream of the air-to-water heat exchanger GX. The bypass unit is located in the Fig. The bypass unit is shown to the left of the dashed line. It comprises the bypass line BK and the bypass valve B with the valve actuator M3. The cooling system 1 also includes the temperature sensors T2 and T3 in the area of ​​the bypass unit.

[0033] In the example shown, the cooling water supply of the air-to-water heat exchanger GX includes the cooling water flowing into the bypass unit via the interface GK, even if only a portion of this cooling water flows through the air-to-water heat exchanger GX and the remaining portion of this cooling water flows through the bypass line BK.

[0034] In the example shown, the cooling water return of the air-to-water heat exchanger GX includes the cooling water flowing out of the bypass unit via the interface GW, even if only a portion of this cooling water flows through the air-to-water heat exchanger GX and the remaining portion of this cooling water flows through the bypass line BK.

[0035] The Fig. Figure 3 shows cooling system 1 for cooling the gantry 20 of the medical imaging device 2. The medical imaging system 3 comprises cooling system 1 and the medical imaging device 2 with the gantry 20. Cooling system 1 includes the air-to-water heat exchanger GX and the cooling water mixing unit H. The cooling water mixing unit H is configured to draw warmer cooling water from a cooling water return line of the air-to-water heat exchanger GX and mix it with colder cooling water, then supply the mixed cooling water to a cooling water supply line of the air-to-water heat exchanger GX.

[0036] The Gantry 20 features interface GK for receiving the cooling water supply from the air-to-water heat exchanger GX. The Gantry 20 also features interface GW for supplying the cooling water return from the air-to-water heat exchanger GX. The arrows connecting each pair of interfaces represent water lines for conveying the cooling water, for example, in the form of pipes and / or hoses.

[0037] In the example shown, the cooling system 1 is provided to have a temperature sensor T1 for recording temperature data relating to the temperature of the mixed cooling water, wherein the mixing valve V forms an actuator M1 of a temperature control loop VT for controlling the temperature of the mixed cooling water to a temperature setpoint based on the temperature data.

[0038] In the example shown, the cooling system 1 includes a pump VP for driving a cooling water flow. The air-to-water heat exchanger GX is arranged on the suction side relative to the pump VP, while the cooling water mixing unit H is arranged on the pressure side relative to the pump VP. The cooling system 1 also includes a flow sensor F for acquiring flow data relating to the flow of the mixed cooling water, with the pump VP acting as an actuator M2 for adjusting the flow rate of the cooling water stream.

[0039] In the example shown, the cooling system 1 includes a water-to-water heat exchanger HX, wherein the cooling water return flows into the water-to-water heat exchanger HX on the heat source side after the warmer cooling water branches off, and flows out of the water-to-water heat exchanger HX as the cooler cooling water. In this example, the water-to-water heat exchanger HX is designed as a plate heat exchanger and is configured for a heat sink connection to the chilled water supply network N. In this example, the warmer cooling water flows through the pipe section VW to the mixing valve V after branching off from the cooling water return of the air-to-water heat exchanger GX, thereby bypassing the water-to-water heat exchanger HX.

[0040] In the example shown, the cooling water mixing unit H is provided to have a housing to separate an interior area of ​​the cooling water mixing unit H from an environment of the cooling water mixing unit H. - wherein the gantry 20 of the medical imaging device 2 is arranged in the vicinity of the cooling water mixing unit H, - wherein the air-to-water heat exchanger GX is located in the gantry 20 of the medical imaging device 2 and / or outside the housing.

[0041] The Fig. Figure 4 shows a flowchart of a procedure for cooling the gantry 20 of the medical imaging device 2 using the cooling system 1, the procedure comprising - a branch S1 of the warmer cooling water from the cooling water return of the air-to-water heat exchanger GX, - a mixing S2 of the warmer cooling water with the colder cooling water and - a supply S3 of the cooling water mixed in this way to the cooling water supply line of the air-water heat exchanger GX.

[0042] In particular, it can be provided that the cooling water mixing unit H is used to divert S1 of the warmer cooling water from the cooling water return of the air-water heat exchanger GX, to mix S2 of the warmer cooling water with the colder cooling water and to supply S3 of the cooling water thus mixed to the cooling water supply of the air-water heat exchanger GX. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2023 202 703 A1

[0002] DE 10 2023 206 164 A1

[0002] US 11 197 650 B2

[0002]

Claims

[1] Cooling system (1) for cooling a gantry (20) of a medical imaging device (2), - wherein the cooling system (1) comprises an air-to-water heat exchanger (GX) and a cooling water mixing unit (H), - wherein the cooling water mixing unit (H) is designed to divert warmer cooling water from a cooling water return of the air-water heat exchanger (GX) and mix it with colder cooling water and supply the cooling water thus mixed to a cooling water supply of the air-water heat exchanger (GX). [2] Cooling system (1) according to claim 1, - wherein the cooling water mixing unit (H) has a mixing valve (V) for adjusting a mixing ratio between the warmer cooling water and the colder cooling water. [3] Cooling system (1) according to claim 2, - wherein the cooling system (1) has a temperature sensor (T1) for recording temperature data relating to the temperature of the mixed cooling water, - wherein the mixing valve (V) forms an actuator (M1) of a temperature control loop (VT) for controlling the temperature of the mixed cooling water to a temperature setpoint based on the temperature data. [4] Cooling system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, - wherein the cooling system (1) includes a pump (VP) for driving a flow of cooling water. [5] Cooling system (1) according to claim 4, - wherein the air-to-water heat exchanger (GX) is arranged on the suction side relative to the pump (VP), - wherein the cooling water mixing unit (H) is arranged on the pressure side relative to the pump (VP). [6] Cooling system (1) according to claim 4 or 5, - wherein the cooling system (1) has a flow sensor (F) for recording flow data relating to the flow of the mixed cooling water, - wherein the pump (VP) forms an actuator (M2) for adjusting the flow rate of the cooling water stream. [7] Cooling system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, - wherein the cooling system (1) comprises a water-to-water heat exchanger (HX), - wherein the cooling water return flows into the water-to-water heat exchanger (HX) on the heat source side after the branching off of the warmer cooling water and flows out of the water-to-water heat exchanger (HX) as the colder cooling water. [8] Cooling system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, - wherein the cooling water mixing unit (H) has a housing for separating an interior area of ​​the cooling water mixing unit (H) from an environment of the cooling water mixing unit (H), - wherein the gantry (20) of the medical imaging device (2) is arranged in the vicinity of the cooling water mixing unit (H), - wherein the air-to-water heat exchanger (GX) is located in the gantry (20) of the medical imaging device (2) and / or outside the housing. [9] Medical imaging system (3) comprising the cooling system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and the medical imaging device (2) with the gantry (20). [10] Use of the cooling system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 for cooling the gantry (20) of the medical imaging device (2).

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