Radiation Detector Scintillator Alignment via Intermediary Spacers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radiation tomography apparatuses face challenges in maintaining regular arrangement of scintillators, leading to deviations in detector ring configuration, which compromises the high position discrimination function and spatial resolution.
Innovation Solution
A method involving an annular detector ring with scintillation counter crystals arranged in a two-dimensional array, using spacers and shims to ensure accurate alignment and regular positioning of scintillators, and employing an alignment jig for precise placement of detector units to form a detector ring with improved spatial resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If radiation detectors are arranged using conventional methods with reference to the bleeder unit, then the assembly process is simplified, but the scintillators cannot be arranged regularly, compromising position discrimination function and spatial resolution
Solution Approach 1:
A positioning member is introduced as an intermediary component between the support member and the radiation detectors. This positioning member includes positioning protrusions that fit into corresponding positioning recesses, serving as a mediator to transmit precise positioning information from the support structure to the scintillator blocks, thereby achieving regular arrangement without complicating the overall assembly process
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning protrusions and recesses are pre-formed on the positioning member and support member respectively, before the actual assembly of radiation detectors. This preliminary preparation of positioning features ensures that when detectors are installed, they automatically achieve correct regular positioning without requiring complex real-time adjustment procedures
2Measurement precision
If the light detector and bleeder unit coupling position is not precisely controlled, then assembly is easier, but the scintillator arrangement deviates, affecting imaging accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning member acts as an intermediary that decouples the precision requirements between the light detector-bleeder unit coupling and the scintillator arrangement. By introducing this intermediate positioning structure, the system achieves high position discrimination accuracy through the positioning protrusions-recesses mechanism without requiring extremely tight coupling position precision between other components
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning function is segmented into distinct elements: positioning protrusions on the positioning member, corresponding recesses on the support member, and the scintillator blocks themselves. This segmentation allows each element to be manufactured and assembled independently with standard tolerances, while the collective arrangement achieves high precision through the interlocking positioning features
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 method ensures regular arrangement of scintillators, enhancing the spatial resolution of radiation tomography apparatuses by accurately positioning scintillation counter crystals and detector units, thereby improving the position discrimination function and overall imaging quality.
Implementation Method 1
a scintillator 61 that converts radiation into fluorescence
Data Source
AI summary
A method of manufacturing radiation tomography apparatus according to this invention includes a first spacer joining step of joining a spacer to a radiation detector, and a second spacer joining step of joining both the radiation detectors to each other via the spacer such that clearance between adjacent scintillators corresponds to integral multiples of an arrangement pitch of scintillation counter crystal. Accordingly, the scintillators provided in the radiation tomography apparatus of this invention are arranged more regularly, which achieves enhanced spatial resolution of the radiation tomography apparatus.