CN109085636B

CN109085636B - PET detector module, PET detector ring and PET detector array

Info

Publication number: CN109085636B
Application number: CN201810716051.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 李淼; 蒋华伟
Original assignee: Shanghai United Imaging Healthcare Co Ltd
Current assignee: Shanghai United Imaging Healthcare Co Ltd
Priority date: 2018-06-29
Filing date: 2018-06-29
Publication date: 2020-02-21
Anticipated expiration: 2038-06-29
Also published as: CN109085636A

Abstract

The application relates to a PET detector module, PET detector ring and PET detector array, a PET detector module for the combination forms the PET detector ring, and the PET detector module includes: the detector comprises a detector crystal, a connecting plate and a fixed block; the fixed block is overlapped on the detector crystal along the radial direction of the PET detector ring through the connecting plate, the length of the fixed block in the axial direction of the PET detector ring is smaller than that of the detector crystal in the axial direction of the PET detector ring, and the end faces of the two ends of the fixed block are located within the limited area range of the end faces of the two ends of the detector crystal. The PET detector module superposes the fixed block on the detector crystal through the connecting plate, so that no redundant support or fixing structure exists in the axial direction of the PET detector ring, and when a plurality of PET detector rings are combined for use, the distance between the detector crystals of the adjacent PET detector rings in the axial direction of the PET detector ring is small enough, and the invalid space in PET equipment is reduced.

Description

PET detector module, PET detector ring and PET detector array

Technical Field

The invention relates to the field of medical instruments, in particular to a PET detector module, a PET detector ring and a PET detector array.

Background

When Positron Emission tomography (PET for short) is performed, in order to expand a scanning range, a plurality of PET supports may be combined into a PET array along an axial direction thereof for use, wherein each PET detector ring is formed into an annular shape by a plurality of detector modules, and a crystal for converting a received high-energy photon signal into a low-energy visible light signal is disposed in each detector module.

However, for the design of the conventional detector module, in the axial direction of the PET detector ring, the gaps between the crystals of the detector module are often large, resulting in a large proportion of dead space in the PET device.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of the above, it is necessary to provide a PET detector module, a PET detector ring and a PET detector array, which can ensure that the distance between the crystals of the PET detector module in the axial direction of the PET detector ring is small enough to reduce the dead space in the PET apparatus.

A PET detector module for combining to form a PET detector ring, the PET detector module comprising: the detector comprises a detector crystal, a connecting plate and a fixed block;

the fixed block is overlapped on the detector crystal through the connecting plate along the radial direction far away from the PET detector ring, the length of the fixed block in the axial direction of the PET detector ring is smaller than that of the detector crystal in the axial direction of the PET detector ring, and the end faces of the two ends of the fixed block are located within the range of the area limited by the end faces of the two ends of the detector crystal.

The PET detector module superposes the fixed block on the detector crystal through the connecting plate, so that no redundant support or fixing structure exists in the axial direction of the PET detector ring, and when a plurality of PET detector rings are combined for use, the distance between the detector crystals of the adjacent PET detector rings in the axial direction of the PET detector ring is small enough, and the invalid space in PET equipment is reduced.

In one embodiment, the PET detector module further comprises a cover, the cover wraps the exposed surface of the detector crystal, and the cover is fixedly connected with the connecting plate.

In one embodiment, the PET detector module further includes a crystal fixing plate, the crystal fixing plate is disposed between a side surface of the detector crystal and the housing in the axial direction of the PET detector ring, and the crystal fixing plate is fixedly connected to the connecting plate.

In one embodiment, the PET detector module further includes an electronics board card disposed on the connecting plate, the electronics board card being electrically connected to the detector crystal.

In one embodiment, the detector crystal and the crystal fixing plate and/or the crystal fixing plate and the cover shell are fixedly connected in an adhesion mode.

In one embodiment, the connection plate and the crystal fixing plate and/or the cover and the fixing block are fixedly connected through screws.

In one embodiment, the fixed block is provided with an outlet hole along the radial direction of the PET detector ring.

A PET detector ring, comprising:

a plurality of the above PET detector modules arranged in a ring shape;

wherein, in an axial direction of the PET detector ring, an end face of the PET detector ring is a set of end faces of the PET detector modules.

Above-mentioned PET detector ring uses through the connecting plate with the PET detector module of fixed block superpose on detector crystal for do not have unnecessary support or fixed knot structure on PET detector ring axial direction, thereby when a plurality of PET detector ring combinations use, realized in PET detector ring axial direction, the distance between the detector crystal of adjacent PET detector ring is enough little, reduces the dead space in the PET equipment.

In one embodiment, the PET detector ring further comprises a detector fixing frame, and the fixing blocks of the PET detector modules are fixedly connected with the detector fixing frame through screws.

A PET detector array comprising:

a plurality of the above-described PET detector rings;

in the axial direction of the PET detector rings, the PET detector rings are arranged in an aligned mode, and the end faces of the adjacent PET detector rings are in contact.

The PET detector array uses the PET detector modules which superpose the fixed blocks on the detector crystals through the connecting plates, so that redundant support or fixed structures are not arranged in the axial direction of the PET detector ring, when a plurality of PET detector rings are combined for use, the effect that the distance between the detector crystals of the adjacent PET detector rings is small enough in the axial direction of the PET detector ring is achieved, and the invalid space in PET equipment is reduced.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional structural view of a PET detector module in one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a PET detector module in one embodiment

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a PET detector ring in one embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a PET detector array in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a side view of the PET detector array of the embodiment of FIG. 4.

Detailed Description

In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the present application more apparent, the present application is described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the present application and are not intended to limit the present application.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a PET detector module in one embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 1, a PET detector module 100 for combining to form a PET detector ring, the PET detector module 100 includes: a detector crystal 102, a connecting plate 104 and a fixing block 106;

the fixed block 106 is stacked on the detector crystal 102 along a radial direction far away from the PET detector ring through the connecting plate 104, the length of the fixed block 106 in the axial direction of the PET detector ring is smaller than that of the detector crystal 102 in the axial direction of the PET detector ring, and end faces of two ends of the fixed block 106 are located within a range of an area defined by end faces of two ends of the detector crystal 102.

Specifically, the PET detector module 100 includes a detector crystal (scintillator) 102, the detector crystal 102 is configured to receive a high-energy photon signal during a PET scanning process and convert the photon signal into a low-energy visible light signal, a fixing block 106 is stacked on the detector through a connecting plate 104 in the PET detector module 100, the fixing block 106 is used as a fixing structure for the PET detector module 100 to be annularly arranged, and the fixing block can be fixedly connected to a support and other components to realize circumferential arrangement of the PET detector modules along a PET detector ring. In the axial direction of the PET detector ring, the length of the fixed block 106 does not exceed the length of the detector crystal 102, and both end faces of the fixed block 106 do not exceed both end faces of the detector crystal 102, and likewise both end faces of the connecting plate 104 do not exceed both end faces of the detector crystal 102.

Further, the fixing or supporting structure in the conventional detector module is generally disposed at the position of the detector crystal along the axial direction and the circumferential direction of the PET detector ring, so that when the PET detector modules are combined into the PET detector ring, or the PET detector ring is combined into an array for use, the distance between the detector crystals is very long, and the detector crystals 102 of the PET detector module 100 do not have any redundant fixing or supporting structure in the axial direction and the axial direction of the PET detector ring, so that the dead space is small, and the arrangement flexibility is greatly improved.

The PET detector module 100 has no redundant support or fixing structure in the axial direction of the PET detector ring, so that when a plurality of PET detector rings are combined for use, the distance between the detector crystals 102 of the adjacent PET detector rings in the axial direction of the PET detector rings is small enough, and the invalid space in the PET equipment is reduced.

FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a PET detector module 100 according to an embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 2, the PET detector module 100 further includes a cover 108 covering the exposed surface of the detector crystal 102, and the cover 108 is fixedly connected to the connecting plate 104.

Specifically, the cover 108 is used for fixing and protecting the detector crystal 102, and is disposed on five surfaces of the detector crystal 102 except for the surface facing the connecting plate 104, the cover 108 is fixedly disposed on the connecting plate 104, no connecting component is disposed between the cover 108 and the detector crystal 102, and the thickness of the cover 108 should be reduced as much as possible under the condition of meeting the strength requirement, so that the distance between the detector crystals 102 is small enough in the axial direction and the circumferential direction of the PET detector ring, and the shielding on the detection light path of the detector crystal 102 is reduced, so that the signal reception of the detected crystal is more accurate.

In one embodiment, the PET detector module further includes a crystal fixing plate 110, the crystal fixing plate 110 is disposed between a side of the detector crystal 102 and the housing 108 in the PET detector ring axial direction, and the crystal fixing plate 110 is fixedly connected with the connection plate 104.

Specifically, the crystal fixing plate 110 between the detector crystal 102 and the cover 108 fills up the gap between the cover 108 and the detector crystal 102, so that the internal structure of the PET detector module 100 is more compact, the detector crystal 102 is fixed more stably and firmly, and meanwhile, the crystal fixing plate is also fixedly connected with the connecting plate 104, so as to ensure that no redundant parts exist between the detector crystals 102 in the axial direction and the circumferential direction of the PET detector ring.

In one embodiment, the PET detector module 100 further includes an electronics board 112, the electronics board 112 being fixedly disposed on the connection plate 104.

Specifically, an electronics board 112 is further disposed in the PET detector module 100, the electronics board is electrically connected to the detector crystals 102 to implement the detection function of the PET detector module 100, the electronics board 112 may be fixedly disposed on the connecting plate 104, and two end faces of the electronics board 112 do not exceed two end faces of the detector crystals 102, so as to ensure that no redundant component exists between the detector crystals 102 in the axial direction of the PET detector ring. Because the function demand also can set up a plurality of electronics integrated circuit boards, and a plurality of electronics integrated circuit boards card sets up the both sides at connecting plate 104 along the fixed setting of the radial direction of PET detector ring. For example, the electronics board 112 may include a photomultiplier plate and a front-end circuit board coupled to the photomultiplier plate, the photomultiplier plate and the front-end circuit board being respectively disposed on two supporting surfaces of the connecting board 104, wherein the photomultiplier plate is disposed on one supporting surface of the connecting board 104 near the detector crystal 102, and the front-end circuit board is disposed on one supporting surface of the connecting board 104 far from the detector crystal 102.

In one embodiment, the detector crystal 102 is fixedly attached to the crystal mount 110 and/or the crystal mount is fixedly attached to the housing by bonding.

Specifically, since the structural member may have a blocking and scattering effect on the radiation, in order to ensure the accuracy of the signal received by the detector crystal 102, the detector crystal 102 needs to have a high purity and no other redundant structure, and the structural members on the detection light path are reduced as much as possible, so that the detector crystal 102 and the fixed structure may be fixed by adhesion, the detector crystal 102 and the crystal fixing plate 110 may be fixedly connected by adhesion, and the crystal fixing plate 110 and the housing 108 may also be fixedly connected by adhesion. The parts fixed together in the bonding mode have very low possibility of damage, so the parts do not need to be disassembled in the whole life cycle, can be integrally replaced after reaching the service life, and are convenient to use.

In one embodiment, the connection plate 104 and the crystal holding plate 110, and/or the housing 108 and the fixing block 106 are fixedly connected by screws.

Specifically, the housing 108 and the crystal fixing plate 110 may be fixedly connected by screws, and the fixing block 106 may also be fixedly connected to the connecting plate 104 by screws, so that the structure of the PET detector module 100 is more stable, and when a component is damaged, the later replacement and maintenance are facilitated, and similarly, other components which are not in direct contact with the detector crystal 102 and are not on the detection optical path, such as the electronic board 112, may also be connected to related components by screws. It will be appreciated that the components described above may be connected using other mechanical structures besides screws, which provide mechanical strength and are easy to replace.

In one embodiment, the mounting block 106 defines an outlet aperture 114 along a radial direction of the PET detector ring.

Specifically, the fixed block 106 is further provided with two wire outlet holes 114 for leading out wires of the PET detector module 100, the number of the wire outlet holes 114 may be two, the wires passing through the wire outlet holes 114 may connect components such as an electronics board 112 of the PET detector module 100 with external devices, and the components are used for providing functions such as power supply and signal transmission, and the wire outlet holes 114 are formed in the fixed block 106 along the radial direction of the PET detector ring, so that the wires do not block the position of the PET detector module 100 along the axial direction or the circumferential direction of the PET detector ring.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a PET detector ring according to an embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 3, a PET detector ring 10 includes:

a plurality of the above-described PET detector modules 100 arranged in a ring;

wherein the end faces of the PET detector ring 10 in the axial direction of the PET detector ring are a set of end faces of the PET detector modules 100.

Specifically, a plurality of the PET detector modules 100 are annularly arranged to form the PET detector ring 10, wherein the number and arrangement mode of the PET detector modules 100 can be determined according to actual scanning requirements and equipment specifications, and in the axial direction and the circumferential direction of the PET detector ring 10, the PET detector modules 100 can be arbitrarily combined without redundant structural components, so that the distance between the detector crystals 102 of adjacent PET detector modules 100 is effectively reduced.

The PET detector modules 100 of the PET detector ring 10 do not have any redundant supporting or fixing structure in the axial direction of the PET detector ring 10, so that when a plurality of PET detector rings 10 are used in combination, the distance between the detector crystals of adjacent PET detector rings 10 in the axial direction of the PET detector ring 10 is small enough, and the dead space in the PET equipment is reduced.

In one embodiment, the PET detector ring 10 further includes a detector mount (not shown) to which the fixed blocks 106 of the plurality of PET detector modules 100 are fixedly coupled by screws.

Specifically, fixed screw 116 has still been seted up on the radial direction along the PET detector ring to fixed block 106 of PET detector module 100, the quantity of fixed screw 116 can be two, be provided with the screw corresponding with fixed screw 116 position on the detector mount, the PET detector module 100 that is the annular and arranges can pass through the fix with screw on the detector mount, the detector mount makes the structure that the PET detected ring 10 more stable firm, form complete PET detector frame, also make things convenient for the alignment when a plurality of PET detector ring combinations use.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a PET detector array according to an embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a side view of the PET detector array according to the embodiment of FIG. 4. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in an embodiment, a PET detector array 20 includes:

a plurality of the above-described PET detector rings 10;

wherein, in the axial direction of PET detector ring, a plurality of PET detector rings align and arrange, and the terminal surface of adjacent PET detector ring contacts.

Specifically, PET detector array 20 is aligned by 2 PET detector rings 10 and arranges and constitute, and the detector module of 2 PET detector rings is aimed at, and does not have unnecessary part and structure between two PET detector rings, and in the axial direction of PET detector ring, the terminal surface of adjacent PET detector module contacts, has guaranteed that the distance between the detector crystal is enough little. It can be understood that, in the PET scan, a greater number of PET detector rings 10 may be used in combination, and the specific number may be determined according to actual scan requirements, or a plurality of PET detector rings 10 may be used in combination with other medical imaging devices such as a Computed Tomography (CT) device or a Magnetic Resonance (MR) device, so as to expand the functions of the PET detector array.

The PET detector modules 100 of the PET detector array 20 described above have no redundant support or fixing structure in the axial direction of the PET detector ring 10, so that it is achieved that the distance between the detector crystals 102 of adjacent PET detector rings 10 in the axial direction of the PET detector ring 10 is sufficiently small, reducing dead space in the PET apparatus.

The technical features of the embodiments described above may be arbitrarily combined, and for the sake of brevity, all possible combinations of the technical features in the embodiments described above are not described, but should be considered as being within the scope of the present specification as long as there is no contradiction between the combinations of the technical features.

The above-mentioned embodiments only express several embodiments of the present application, and the description thereof is more specific and detailed, but not construed as limiting the scope of the invention. It should be noted that, for a person skilled in the art, several variations and modifications can be made without departing from the concept of the present application, which falls within the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present patent shall be subject to the appended claims.

Claims

1. A PET detector module for combining to form a PET detector ring, the PET detector module comprising: the detector comprises a detector crystal, a connecting plate and a fixed block;

the fixed block is overlapped on the detector crystal through the connecting plate along the radial direction far away from the PET detector ring, the length of the fixed block in the axial direction of the PET detector ring is smaller than that of the detector crystal in the axial direction of the PET detector ring, and the end faces of the two ends of the fixed block are located within the range of the area limited by the end faces of the two ends of the detector crystal; the area of the end face, far away from the connecting plate, of the fixing block is larger than the area of the end faces at the two ends of the connecting plate;

the fixed block is followed still seted up fixed screw on the PET detector ring radial direction to will PET detector module fixes and makes each PET detector module respectively be annular and arrange.

2. The PET detector module of claim 1, further comprising a cover that wraps around exposed surfaces of the detector crystal and is fixedly connected to the connection plate.

3. The PET detector module of claim 2, further comprising a crystal fixing plate disposed between a side of the detector crystal and the housing in the axial direction of the PET detector ring, the crystal fixing plate being fixedly connected to the connecting plate.

4. The PET detector module of claim 1 further comprising an electronics board fixedly disposed on the connection plate, the electronics board being electrically connected to the detector crystal.

5. The PET detector module of claim 3, wherein the detector crystal is fixedly attached to the crystal holding plate and/or the crystal holding plate is fixedly attached to the housing by adhesive bonding.

6. The PET detector module according to claim 3, characterized in that the connection plate and the crystal fixing plate and/or the housing and the fixing block are fixedly connected by screws.

7. The PET detector module of claim 1 wherein the mounting block has wire holes formed along a radial direction of the PET detector ring.

8. A PET detector ring, comprising:

a plurality of the PET detector modules of any one of claims 1 to 7 in an annular arrangement;

9. The PET detector ring of claim 8, further comprising a detector mount, the fixed blocks of the plurality of PET detector modules being fixedly connected to the detector mount by screws.

10. A PET detector array, comprising:

a plurality of PET detector rings as described in claim 8 or 9;