Insulation Mat for PET-MRI Thermal and Vibration Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of positron emission tomographs (PET) with magnetic resonance scanners (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) is hindered by limited space, thermal coupling, and vibrational interference, leading to noise and reduced service life of PET components.
Innovation Solution
A combined tomography scanner design using an insulation mat for spatial, thermal, and vibrational isolation between PET and MRI/CT components, allowing for close spatial arrangement without compromising PET performance, featuring a variable-volume insulation mat with fluid inflation and vibration-damping materials for secure fixation and decoupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If PET component is inserted into MRI measurement area opening for close spatial arrangement, then simultaneous operation is enabled, but thermal coupling and vibrational interference occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an insulation mat as an intermediary element positioned between the PET component and the MRI gradient coil. This mat serves as a mediator that provides thermal insulation to prevent heat transfer from the gradient coil to the PET component, and acoustic insulation to reduce vibrational interference and noise transmission, thereby enabling close spatial arrangement without direct harmful coupling
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the harmful thermal and vibrational coupling by introducing a separating insulation mat between the PET component and the MRI gradient coil. This extraction creates thermal and acoustic isolation zones, allowing the PET component to be positioned close to the gradient coil for simultaneous operation while preventing direct thermal and vibrational interference
2Area of stationary object
If PET component is positioned close to gradient coil, then space utilization is improved, but noise and vibration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The insulation mat acts as an intermediary barrier between the gradient coil and PET component, providing acoustic insulation that reduces noise transmission and vibrational interference while allowing the components to be positioned close together for efficient space utilization in the annular measurement area opening
3Adaptability or versatility
If PET component is installed within MRI appliance, then integration is achieved, but maintainability and production complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the combined imaging system into distinct modular components: the MRI appliance with its annular measurement area opening, the separate PET component, and the insulation mat. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and tested independently, improving ease of manufacture and maintainability while achieving integration when assembled together
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested configuration where the PET component is positioned within the annular measurement area opening of the MRI appliance, creating a compact integrated system. The insulation mat is nested between these components, providing isolation while maintaining the nested structure that achieves space-efficient integration
4Temperature
If insulation mat is used for thermal isolation, then thermal impact is reduced, but installation space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a thin film or mat-like insulation structure that provides effective thermal and acoustic isolation between the gradient coil and PET component. This flexible mat design achieves the required insulation performance with minimal thickness, preventing excessive thermal impact on the PET component while occupying minimal installation space within the constrained annular measurement area opening
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 simultaneous operation of PET and MRI/CT modalities with reduced noise, thermal impact, and extended service life by providing effective spatial, thermal, and vibrational insulation, while maintaining maintainability and avoiding additional costly installation space.
Implementation Method 1
thermal insulation between PET and MRI/CT components
Implementation Method 2
vibration-damping materials for secure fixation and decoupling
Implementation Method 3
vibrational interference, leading to noise and reduced service life of PET components
Implementation Method 4
variable-volume insulation mat with fluid inflation
Data Source
AI summary
A combined tomography scanner is disclosed, having at least two imaging modalities. In at least one embodiment, the scanner includes a first tomography modality having an essentially annular or tubular measurement area opening formed by an inner perimeter; an annular or cylindrical PET component as a second tomography modality having an outer perimeter, which allows insertion into the measurement area opening, and having an inner opening which forms a patient tunnel; and at least one insulation mat which can be inserted into an annular gap between the inner perimeter of the first modality and the outer perimeter of the PET component.