Miniature Gamma-Ray Probe With Integrated Radiation Shielding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gamma ray cameras face challenges in miniaturization for human body insertion due to difficulties in incorporating radiation shielding structures, with unintended radiation affecting image quality.
Innovation Solution
A gamma ray probe design featuring a collimator, scintillator array, light sensor module, and light guide part, where the light guide part is made of a material that emits light photons in response to radiation, allowing for separation of signals using pulse shape discrimination techniques to filter out unwanted radiation noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a gamma camera is miniaturized for human body insertion, then the device can be used for minimally invasive surgery, but radiation shielding structure cannot be effectively incorporated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light guide function and radiation shielding function into a single component. The light guide part is made of a material that both guides light photons and provides radiation shielding, eliminating the need for separate shielding structures in the miniaturized probe.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide part serves multiple functions: it guides light photons from the scintillator array to the light sensor module, and simultaneously acts as a radiation shielding structure to block unintended radiation. This multi-functionality is essential for miniaturized probes where space is limited.
2Measurement precision
If additional radiation shielding structure is added to block unintended radiation, then image quality improves, but the device cannot be inserted into the human body due to space constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the light guide and radiation shielding functions into one integrated component. The light guide part is constructed from material that inherently provides radiation shielding while maintaining its light guiding capability, thus achieving improved image quality without increasing device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide part is made of a composite material or material with specific properties that combine light guiding capability with radiation shielding characteristics. This allows a single component to fulfill both functions, enabling miniaturization while maintaining image quality.
3Measurement precision
If a collimator is used to control radiation direction, then imaging precision improves, but the device complexity increases making miniaturization difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the collimator with other components of the probe. The collimator is positioned and structured to work in conjunction with the scintillator array and light guide part, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying the overall device structure for miniaturization.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe is divided into functional segments (collimator, scintillator array, light guide part, light sensor module) that can be independently optimized and then integrated. This segmentation allows each component to be miniaturized while maintaining overall imaging precision.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate gamma ray detection and imaging by eliminating the effects of unintended radiation, enhancing image quality through material selection and signal processing.
Implementation Method 1
a scintillator array disposed on a rear of the collimator and configured to emit light photons in response to radiation passing through the collimator
Implementation Method 2
a light sensor module disposed on a rear of the scintillator array and configured to detect light photons emitted from the scintillator array and convert the light photons into an electrical signal
Implementation Method 3
a light guide part disposed between the scintillator array and the light sensor module and configured to guide light photons from the scintillator array to the light sensor module
Implementation Method 4
the light guide part is made of a material that reacts to radiation and emits light photons, with the material having a characteristic different from a radiation response characteristic of the scintillator array
Implementation Method 5
The collimator is made of a dense material such as lead or tungsten material with holes formed therein, and is used to control the direction of radiation emitted from radioactive isotopes injected into the human body. The collimator allows radiation incident through the hole formed in the collimator to pass, and causes radiation incident at a predetermined angle or more to be shielded.
Data Source
AI summary
Proposed are a gamma ray probe capable of being inserted into the human body and a gamma ray detection apparatus using the same. The gamma ray probe includes a collimator, a scintillator array disposed on a rear of the collimator and configured to emit light photons in response to radiation passing through the collimator, a light sensor module disposed on a rear of the scintillator array and configured to detect light photons emitted from the scintillator array and convert the light photons into an electrical signal, a light guide part disposed between the scintillator array and the light sensor module and configured to guide light photons from the scintillator array to the light sensor module, and a cylindrical probe casing accommodating the collimator, the scintillator array, the light sensor module, and the light guide part therein.