PET Detector Cooling and Shielding for Uniform Temperature

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional cooling systems for PET devices, such as water and air cooling systems, often result in temperature gradients and electromagnetic interference, degrading image quality and failing to meet temperature requirements effectively.

Innovation Solution

A detector module with a crystal array and a shielding component, including a Faraday cage, coupled with a cooling assembly featuring a separator, delivering tubes, and a collector, which ensures uniform cooling distribution and shields against electromagnetic interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a traditional water cooling system is used to cool the detector assembly, then the temperature requirement is met, but temperature gradients are generated among detector modules degrading image quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetector assembly temperatureVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system is divided into multiple independent cooling channels, with each channel serving specific detector modules. This segmentation allows independent temperature control for different regions, eliminating temperature gradients while maintaining overall cooling effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each detector module is equipped with its own dedicated cooling channel that can be independently adjusted to achieve uniform temperature distribution across all modules, ensuring local temperature optimization without affecting other regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Temperature

If a traditional air cooling system with air compressor is used, then cooling is provided, but noises are generated and temperature requirements are not met

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetector assembly temperatureVSAvoidnoise

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical air compression system is replaced with a liquid-based cooling system that uses pumps and heat exchangers. This substitution eliminates the high-frequency noises characteristic of air compressors while providing more precise and effective cooling control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling system transitions from pneumatic (air-based) to hydraulic (liquid-based) cooling. Liquid cooling provides superior heat transfer efficiency and quieter operation compared to compressed air systems, meeting both temperature and noise requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Adaptability or versatility

If PET detector module is placed between RF coil and gradient magnet in PET-MR device, then both imaging modalities are integrated, but electromagnetic interference occurs reducing performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging modality integrationVSAvoiddetector module performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A shielding component is introduced as an intermediary between the PET detector module and the MR electromagnetic fields. This shielding structure acts as a barrier that blocks RF interference from the gradient magnets and RF coils, protecting the detector while allowing both imaging modalities to function simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The detector module is placed within an electromagnetic shielding environment created by the shielding component. This shielding creates an 'inert' electromagnetic atmosphere that isolates the sensitive detector from external RF interference, ensuring stable performance during PET-MR simultaneous operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

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 effectively cools the detector module, reduces electromagnetic interference, and improves image quality by eliminating temperature gradients and ensuring consistent performance.

Implementation Method 1

a first cooling component embedded in a corresponding detector module... Each cooling component may include at least one delivering tube configured to deliver a portion of the cooling medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

The shielding component may include a cover and a connection component... In some embodiments, the shielding component may further include a Faraday cage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic shielding: Faraday Cage

Data Source

PatentUS11644585B2Systems for imaging

Publication Date: 2023.05.09 SHANGHAI UNITED IMAGING HEALTHCARE

AI summary

The present disclosure is related to a system. The system may include a gantry, a detector assembly including a plurality of detector modules arranged on the gantry, and/or a cooling assembly configured to cool the detector assemble. Each of the plurality of detector modules may include a crystal array configured to detect radiation rays, and a shielding component configured to shield the crystal array from an electromagnetic interference. The cooling assembly may include a plurality of cooling components. Each of the plurality of cooling components may be embedded in a corresponding detector module of the plurality of detector modules.