Parallel Cooling System for PET-MR Detector Temperature Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

In combined PET-MR systems, the temperature fluctuations and heat sources from the MR system's gradient and excitation coils pose challenges for effectively cooling avalanche photodiodes and protecting sensitive electronics from overheating, especially since air cooling struggles to control these temperature differences.

Innovation Solution

A detector arrangement with a parallel cooling system, where cooling units are thermoconductively connected to detector and data processing units, and a distribution unit supplies coolant uniformly to all units, ensuring efficient cooling and stabilizing temperatures, even in compact designs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If air cooling is used for detector units and data processing units, then the cooling system is simple in structure, but temperature fluctuations cannot be effectively controlled and heat sources from gradient and excitation coils cannot be adequately managed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling system structureVSAvoidtemperature control precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a liquid cooling system where coolant flows through channels in the support structure to remove heat from detector units and data processing units. This hydraulic cooling approach provides superior temperature control compared to air cooling, effectively managing heat sources from gradient and excitation coils while maintaining system stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure serves as a thermal intermediary, conducting heat away from sensitive components through integrated cooling channels. This intermediary cooling pathway enables effective heat removal without requiring direct contact cooling of each component, balancing temperature control precision with structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Volume of moving object

If compact design is implemented with proximity to gradient and excitation coils, then space utilization is improved, but heat sources from these coils adversely affect detector temperature stability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem compactnessVSAvoidexternal heat interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful thermal influence of gradient and excitation coils into a beneficial cooling mechanism. The support structure incorporates cooling channels that actively remove heat generated by these coils, transforming the heat problem into an opportunity for integrated thermal management that benefits the entire detector system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure performs multiple functions: it provides mechanical support for detector units, serves as a thermal management system through integrated cooling channels, and acts as a heat sink for gradient and excitation coils. This multi-functional design achieves compactness while effectively managing external heat interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Stability of the object's composition

If parallel cooling system is implemented with distribution unit, then temperature uniformity across detector units is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature uniformityVSAvoidcooling system configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the cooling system with the support structure by integrating cooling channels directly into the support structure itself. This combination eliminates the need for separate cooling components for each detector unit, achieving parallel cooling with uniform temperature distribution while minimizing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling system is segmented into multiple parallel channels within the support structure, each serving specific detector units. This segmentation enables independent temperature control for different regions while maintaining overall temperature uniformity, achieving stable operation without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 parallel cooling system effectively prevents temperature fluctuations and ensures consistent cooling across multiple detector units, maintaining the performance and stability of PET detectors in PET-MR systems, particularly by minimizing coolant flow paths and using highly thermoconductive materials for efficient heat dissipation.

Implementation Method 1

cooling units which are thermoconductively connected to the detector units and data processing units for cooling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS8102178B2Detector arrangement

Publication Date: 2012.01.24 SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS AG

AI summary

A detector arrangement with a plurality of detector units is disclosed, to each of which a data processing unit is assigned. An embodiment of the detector arrangement includes a cooling system with cooling units which are thermoconductively connected to the detector units and data processing units for cooling. The cooling units are connected to a distribution unit by which a coolant may be supplied to the cooling units in parallel.