MRI Tube Air Duct Layout for Laminar Cooling Near Local Coils
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging devices, such as MRI scanners, face inadequate air supply and heat dissipation issues due to the arrangement of ventilation systems, particularly when examining smaller sections like a patient's head with local coils, which reduce the cross-sectional area and disrupt laminar airflow.
Innovation Solution
An air supply device is integrated into the imaging device to direct a main airflow along the longitudinal axis of the scanner tube, with a supply opening in the examination section, utilizing a detachable and adjustable air duct system to ensure sufficient airflow and laminar flow characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If air is discharged towards the center of the image tube along its longitudinal axis, then heat dissipation from the examined area is improved, but the main airflow becomes insufficient due to reduced cross-sectional area from local coil assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The air supply system is segmented into multiple independent air supply units distributed along the longitudinal axis of the image tube, with each unit supplying air to specific examination sections. This segmentation allows sufficient air to be delivered to each local coil assembly area without requiring a single large main airflow through the entire tube.
Solution Approach 2:
Different air supply units are positioned at different locations along the image tube to provide localized air supply to specific examination sections. Each air supply unit is optimized for its specific location, ensuring adequate airflow to local coil assemblies while maintaining overall system efficiency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the cross-sectional area of the image tube is reduced by local coil assembly, then examination capability is improved, but airflow capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The air supply system is divided into multiple distributed air supply units that independently deliver air to different examination sections. This segmentation compensates for the reduced cross-sectional area caused by local coil assemblies by ensuring each section receives adequate airflow from its dedicated supply unit.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of relying on a single large diameter tube for airflow, the system distributes air supply along the longitudinal dimension of the image tube. Multiple air supply units positioned at different longitudinal locations provide cumulative airflow capacity that compensates for the reduced cross-sectional area in each local region.
3Ease of manufacture
If air supply units are arranged in the rear funnel section, then installation is simplified, but airflow distribution to examination sections is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The air supply system uses multiple segmented air supply units distributed along the image tube rather than a single centralized unit. This segmentation enables simplified installation at the rear funnel section while ensuring adequate airflow distribution to all examination sections through the distributed network of supply units.
Solution Approach 2:
The air supply units are designed with universal connectivity to the ventilation device, allowing them to be easily installed and configured at different locations along the image tube. This multi-functional design enables the system to maintain installation simplicity while achieving improved airflow distribution through flexible positioning of multiple units.
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
The solution provides effective air supply and heat dissipation in spatially limited areas of the scanner tube, optimizing ventilation for smaller diameters and local coil assemblies, reducing turbulence and enhancing serviceability.
Implementation Method 1
A laminar airflow through the scanner tube is particularly important to facilitate heat dissipation
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an imaging device (1) comprising a receiving tube (2), wherein the receiving tube (2) has a receiving opening (7) at a front longitudinal end for inserting an object (3) to be examined by the imaging device (1) and a rear opening (8) at a rear longitudinal end. The imaging device (1) has a ventilation device (14) which is configured to supply air to an air supply device (15) of the ventilation device (14), wherein the air supply device (15) is arranged in an edge section (12) of the receiving tube (2) adjacent to the rear opening (8).The imaging device (1) is provided to have an air supply device (16), wherein the air supply device (16) is configured to guide a main airflow (13) of the dispensed air from the air supply device (15) in a longitudinal direction (6) of the receiving tube (2) over a predetermined air supply length (20) and to discharge it into the receiving tube (2) at a supply opening (19) of the air dispensing device provided at one longitudinal end of the air supply length (20).