Collimator Assembly with Movable Units for Adaptive Ray Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ray detection apparatuses, such as gamma cameras, face inefficiencies due to fixed collimator modes and thicknesses, which fail to adapt to changes in ray energy and application scenes, leading to suboptimal imaging effects and increased replacement times.
Innovation Solution
A collimator assembly comprising two moveable collimators that can switch between different collimation modes and shielding thicknesses by relative movement and rotation, allowing for adaptive ray collimation and shielding patterns to match varying detection conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single fixed collimator is used, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to changes in ray energy and application scenes
Solution Approach 1:
The collimator is divided into multiple independent collimator units (first collimator unit, second collimator unit, etc.), each with different collimation patterns and shielding thicknesses. This segmentation allows the system to achieve multiple collimation modes by combining different units, thereby improving adaptability without requiring a completely different collimator for each application scene.
Solution Approach 2:
The collimator assembly is designed to perform multiple functions by combining different collimator units with different collimation patterns (e.g., first pattern, second pattern, third pattern) and different shielding thicknesses. A single assembly can adapt to various ray energy levels and application scenes by reconfiguring which units are activated, making the device universal rather than application-specific.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple collimators are carried for replacement, then different collimation modes can be achieved, but the replacement time increases and work efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The collimator assembly incorporates movable connections between collimator units, allowing them to be dynamically reconfigured from a compact storage state to an expanded operational state. This dynamic reconfiguration enables switching between different collimation modes without disassembling or replacing the entire collimator assembly, significantly reducing the time required to change collimation patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The collimator units are designed to be nestable or storable within a compact configuration when not in use. The first collimator unit, second collimator unit, and other components can be folded or nested together, allowing multiple collimation patterns to be stored in a single assembly rather than requiring separate physical collimators to be carried and replaced.
3Reliability
If the collimator thickness is increased for better shielding, then the shielding performance improves, but the device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Different collimator units are designed with different shielding thicknesses tailored to specific application requirements. For example, the first collimator unit may have a first shielding thickness optimized for high-energy rays, while the second collimator unit has a second shielding thickness optimized for lower-energy rays. This local quality approach ensures that each unit provides appropriate shielding for its intended application without uniformly increasing the complexity of the entire assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding function is segmented across multiple independent collimator units rather than requiring a single thick collimator. By combining thinner individual units with different shielding capabilities, the system achieves comprehensive shielding performance across various energy ranges while maintaining modular simplicity and reducing overall assembly complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides a collimator assembly, comprising at least at least two collimators configured to be moveable relative to each other such that the collimator assembly is switchable between at least two collimation modes; in respective collimation modes, the at least two collimators are superposed with each other in a thickness direction of the collimator assembly, such that the collimator assembly presents different combined patterns for collimating and shielding rays incident onto the collimator assembly and that the collimator assembly has corresponding ray shielding thickness for effectively shielding rays.