Transparent Adhesive Light Guide for PET Detector Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current PET scanner systems face challenges in reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while effectively guiding light from scintillation crystals to photosensors, often requiring multiple components and complex geometries.
Innovation Solution
The use of a transparent adhesive to distribute light from scintillation crystals to multiple photosensors, eliminating the need for separate light guides and simplifying the module design, with the adhesive serving both adhesive and light distribution functions by being sufficiently thick to ensure optimal light coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate light guides are used to guide light from scintillation crystals to photosensors, then light distribution efficiency is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the light guide function and adhesive function into a single integrated component. The light guide material is mixed with adhesive material to create a unified substance that both bonds the photosensor to the scintillation crystal and guides light from the crystal to the sensor, eliminating the need for separate light guide and adhesive components.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite material serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as an adhesive to bond components, as a light guide to transmit and distribute light, and as a coupling medium to interface between the scintillation crystal and photosensor. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components and simplifies the overall module design.
2Reliability
If multiple components are used for light guidance, then light distribution is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light guide and adhesive into a single composite material that can be applied in one step during assembly, reducing manufacturing steps and complexity while maintaining effective light distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite material combining light guide properties and adhesive properties in a single substance, enabling both light guidance and bonding functions to be achieved with one material system, simplifying the manufacturing process.
3Reliability
If complex geometries are used for light guidance, then light distribution efficiency is improved, but ease of repair and maintenance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the light guide and adhesive functions into a single applyable material, the system becomes easier to repair and maintain. When replacement is needed, the entire composite layer can be removed and reapplied without dealing with separate complex geometric light guide components.
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 approach reduces manufacturing complexity and cost by simplifying the module design, enhancing light distribution efficiency, and allowing for easier maintenance and replacement of components, while maintaining or improving the spatial resolution of PET imaging.
Implementation Method 1
a transparent adhesive extends directly from a surface of at least one of the scintillation crystal elements to a surface of at least one of the photosensors and distributes light emitted from the scintillation crystal element to the plurality of photosensors
Data Source
AI summary
A positron emission tomography (PET) detector module includes an array of scintillation crystal elements and a plurality of photosensors arranged to at least partially cover the array of scintillation crystal elements. The photosensors are configured to receive light emitted from the array of scintillation crystal elements. The module includes a transparent adhesive arranged between the array of scintillation crystal elements and the plurality of photosensors. The transparent adhesive extends directly from a surface of at least one of the scintillation crystal elements to a surface of at least one of the photosensors and is configured to distribute the light emitted from one of the scintillation crystal elements to more than one of the photosensors. A method of manufacturing the module includes various steps utilizing a fixture. A PET scanner uses multiple modules arranged circumferentially around an area to be scanned.