Gradually Narrowed Head PET Device for Whole-Body Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional PET devices have limited axial depth, requiring multiple bed scans for whole-body imaging, resulting in slow imaging speed and non-uniform sensitivity, especially at the edges, and are difficult to design and maintain due to complex angle requirements.
Innovation Solution
A whole-body PET device with a gradually narrowed head, composed of multiple rings and a planar top, simplifying design and installation by reducing the need for complex angle calculations and five-axis apparatuses, while maintaining high sensitivity and solid space angle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the axial field of view of the PET apparatus is extended to achieve whole-body imaging, then the imaging coverage is improved, but the sensitivity becomes non-uniform with rapid decrease at the ends of the detector
Solution Approach 1:
The detector is designed with different structures at different locations: the middle portion uses a barrel-type structure while the end portions use concave curved end caps. This local differentiation allows the end caps to increase the solid angle of detection at the edges, compensating for the sensitivity decrease and achieving more uniform sensitivity distribution across the entire axial field of view.
2Manufacturing precision
If concave curved end caps are used to improve sensitivity and solid angle, then the detection performance is improved, but the design and manufacturing complexity increases requiring five-axis apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The detector is divided into three separate segments: a middle barrel-type portion and two end concave curved portions. Each segment can be manufactured independently using conventional machining methods, avoiding the need for complex five-axis apparatus. The segments are then assembled together to form the complete detector with improved sensitivity characteristics.
3Length of moving object
If multiple bed scans are used to achieve whole-body imaging, then the imaging coverage is improved, but the imaging speed becomes slow requiring 8-10 minutes
Solution Approach 1:
The detector transitions from a traditional single-bed configuration to an extended axial field of view configuration with concave end caps, effectively adding axial dimension coverage. This allows whole-body imaging to be achieved in a single bed position rather than requiring multiple sequential bed scans, dramatically improving imaging speed from 8-10 minutes to a single scan duration.
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
This design improves manufacturing efficiency, simplifies design and installation, and maintains high detection sensitivity and image quality with reduced complexity and cost, allowing for effective whole-body imaging without compromising passability.
Implementation Method 1
PET adopts a data acquisition method of coincidence detection. When two gamma rays of 511 keV are simultaneously detected on two detector crystals just opposite to each other, it is called a true coincidence event.
Implementation Method 2
When two gamma rays of 511 keV are simultaneously detected on two detector crystals just opposite to each other
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a general PET device (1) with a gradually narrowed head, the device comprising a body (2), a head (3) and a top (4) closely arranged in sequence, wherein the body (2) is composed of a plurality of body module rings (21); the head (3) is composed of N head module rings (31), with N being a natural number and being at least two; the top (4) is composed of a plurality of top PET detection modules (41); each of the body module rings (21) is composed of several body PET detection modules (22) evenly distributed in a circumferential direction thereof, and all the body module rings (21) are closely arranged in an axial direction to form the body (2); in the N head module rings (31), the rings sequentially decreases in size, and are closely arranged in the axial direction in a sequence from the first head module ring (31) to the Nth head module ring (31); and the detection surfaces of the plurality of top PET detection modules (41) are located in the same plane, and all the detection surfaces face the head (3) or the body (2).