X-ray Source Cooling via C-arm Thermal Conduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical diagnostic X-ray devices face challenges in maintaining efficient cooling without disrupting the balance of the C-arm and risking leakage of cooling agents in sterile surgical environments, leading to reduced uninterrupted operation times and increased mechanical stress.
Innovation Solution
The X-ray apparatus employs air as the cooling agent in direct thermal contact with the C-arm, utilizing its large thermal capacity and radiation surface, eliminating the need for cooling agent conduits and pumps, and incorporating an internal partition for efficient heat transfer and circulation, along with an envelope and cooling ribs for enhanced cooling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If cooling agent conduits are used to cool the X-ray source, then cooling efficiency is improved, but device complexity and mass of the C-arm increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the cooling function from the X-ray source by providing a separate cooling device with a cooling agent reservoir and circulation system. The cooling device is positioned remotely from the X-ray source, connected via conduits that carry cooling agent to and from the source, thereby separating the heat generation function from the cooling function and reducing complexity at the source location.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a cooling agent as an intermediary substance that transfers heat from the X-ray source to the cooling device. The cooling agent circulates through conduits, absorbing heat at the source and dissipating it at the cooling device, thereby mediating the thermal management between the source and environment.
2Temperature
If cooling agent conduits are installed in the C-arm, then cooling capability is improved, but the balance of the C-arm is disturbed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention compensates for the mass increase caused by cooling conduits in the C-arm by adjusting the counterweight mechanism. The counterweight is modified to offset the additional mass from the conduits and cooling agent, thereby maintaining the balanced state of the C-arm system despite the added cooling infrastructure.
3Temperature
If cooling agents are blown into the treatment room, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but hygiene standards in surgical environments are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the potential harm of cooling agent leakage into a benefit by containing the cooling agent within a closed circulation system. The cooling agent is recirculated through the cooling device and conduits rather than being discharged into the treatment room, thus maintaining both cooling effectiveness and hygiene standards in surgical environments.
4Temperature
If the mass of the C-arm is increased with cooling components, then cooling capacity is improved, but the balance and positioning accuracy of the X-ray source deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses counterweight adjustment to compensate for the mass increase from cooling components, thereby maintaining the balanced positioning of the C-arm and ensuring accurate positioning of the X-ray source despite the added cooling infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling agent acts as an intermediary that provides cooling capacity without requiring the X-ray source itself to be heavier. The cooling system handles the thermal management separately, allowing the source to remain lightweight and easily positionable while still achieving effective cooling through the circulation system.
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 solution provides effective cooling with reduced mechanical stress on the C-arm, minimizes the risk of cooling agent leakage, and allows for longer uninterrupted operation, making it suitable for surgical applications while maintaining hygiene standards.
Implementation Method 1
The cooling agent, which is in direct thermal contact with the C-arm, absorbs part of the heat generated by the X-ray source
Implementation Method 2
employing in a direct and simple manner the relatively large thermal capacity and the large radiation surface of the carrier. The heat generated by the X-ray source during the production of X-rays is absorbed by the cooling agent, which transfers the heat to the carrier in a direct and efficient manner. The carrier subsequently transfers the heat to the surroundings of the X-ray apparatus.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to a medical diagnostic X-rayapparatus (1) comprising an X-raysource (13), a hollow carrier (5) to which the X-raysource is connected, and a cooling mechanism (3) provided with a cooling means to cool the X-raysource (13) during use of the X-rayapparatus (1). The cooling means is in direct thermal contact with the carrier (5),thus providing an efficient cooling mechanism (3) for the X-raysource (13).