EP1466191A1

EP1466191A1 - Method of cooling high density electronics

Info

Publication number: EP1466191A1
Application number: EP01273249A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jerome J. Griesmer; Barry D. Kline
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV
Current assignee: Koninklijke Philips NV
Priority date: 2001-11-21
Filing date: 2001-11-21
Publication date: 2004-10-13
Also published as: JP2005510741A; WO2003046610A1; JP4429723B2

Abstract

For nuclear imaging of a subject injected with a radioactive isotope, each detector array (18) is associated with event analyzer circuitry (64) and detector array signals due to gamma ray emissions indicative of nuclear decay are processed and reconstructed into an image of the subject anatomy. Cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) crystals (20) outputs are amplified by complex low-noise integrated preamplifier circuits (P-ASIC 60) dissipating 300-500 mW each. Additionally, low-noise linear voltage regulators (66) providing regulated DC power to assure delivery of clean power to the P-ASIC (60), dissipate 150-250 mW each. In order to facilitate cooling of electrical components (60,66) which account for most of the dissipated power on circuit boards (62), the boards (62) are arranged parallel to each other and extend perpendicularly away from the detector array (18) to provide channels between the boards (62) through which cooling air is drawn by an array of fans.

Description

METHOD OF COOLING HIGH DENSITY ELECTRONICS

Background of the Invention

The present invention deals with the diagnostic imaging arts. It finds particular application in conjunction with electronics used in nuclear cameras and will be described with particular reference thereto. However, it is to be appreciated that the present invention has application in other devices that have electronics that require cooling and is not limited to the aforementioned application.

Nuclear imaging employs a source of radioactivity to image the anatomy of a subject. Typically, a radiopharmaceutical is injected into the patient. This radiopharmaceutical contains atoms that decay at a predictable rate. Each time an atom decays, it releases a γ-ray. These γ- rays are detected, and from information such as their detected position and energy, a representation of the interior of the subject is reconstructed.

Typically, a nuclear camera has one, two, or three detector heads. Each head has a large scintillator sheet, such as doped sodium iodide, which converts incident radiation into flashes of light. An array of photomultiplier tubes is disposed in back of the scintillator to monitor for light flashes. The output of the photomultiplier tubes and associated circuitry indicates the coordinates of each scintillation on the sodium iodide crystal and its energy. Unfortunately, there are numerous non-uniformities and inaccuracies when using a large scintillator crystal and an array of photomultiplier tubes. Rather than using a single, large scintillator and photomultiplier tubes, others have proposed using an array of small scintillators, each associated with a photodiode or other photoelectrical device which senses a scintillation in each individual scintillation crystal. Other types of individual solid-state detectors have also been suggested.

For resolution on the order of a millimeter, each scintillator/photodiode or other detector element is typically on the order of a millimeter square. Each of the detector elements needs to be powered and to have its output electrical signals processed. Typically, the powering and at least a portion of the processing circuitry is mounted in close association with the individual detectors. This leads to a high density of electrical components, many of which generate significant heat. Cooling the electronics becomes a significant problem.

The present invention provides a new and improved method and apparatus that overcomes the above referenced problems and others .

Summary of the Invention

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a nuclear imaging apparatus is given. An array of detectors detects γ-rays, information about the γ-rays are processed by electronics, a cooling system cools the electronics, and a reconstruction processor converts the γ-ray information into an image representation. According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of nuclear imaging is given. A subject is injected with a radiopharmaceutical that emits γ-rays. The γ-rays are detected by electronics and reconstructed into an image representation. The electronics are arranged to facilitate their cooling and they are cooled.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of nuclear imaging is given. γ-rays are detected by an array of detector arrays. The array is mounted on heat generating circuitry and air is passed along the circuitry to cool it. Signals are processed from the detector array and converted into an image representation.

One advantage of the present invention is that it keeps electrical components at safe temperature levels.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it allows for a large number of detectors in a small area.

Another advantage of the present invention resides in high sensitivity and detailed spatial sampling resolution. Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it avoids the use of liquid coolant or cryogenic cooling.

Still further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading and understanding of the preferred embodiments.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention may take form in various components and arrangements of components, and in various steps and arrangements of steps. The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting the invention.

FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a nuclear imaging device in accordance with the present invention; FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a detector array and associated circuit boards;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of one of the circuit boards and detector array;

FIGURE 4 is a flowchart illustrating the activity of an event analyzer, in accordance with the present invention; and,

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the detector array, circuit boards, and cooling fans.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

With reference to FIGURE 1, a subject 10 defines an imaging region 12. In the preferred embodiment, a radioactive isotope 14 is injected into the subject, near a region to be imaged. For example, if a physician wanted to view a blockage in the aorta, the isotope would be injected into the bloodstream upstream from the blockage. As another example, the radiopharmaceutical is injected into the circulatory system and its absorption by tissue of interest is monitored. As quantum physics predicts, atomic nuclei of the radioactive isotope decay over time. Energy is released at the time of decay in the form of a photon, more specifically, a γ- ray of characteristic energy.

Many of the γ-rays produced during an imaging process will be lost, propagating in useless directions. However, some of the γ-rays pass through collimators 16, thin tungsten vanes in the preferred embodiment, and strike a detector array 18.

In the preferred embodiment and with reference to FIGURE 2, the detector array 18 includes a 4x24 array of cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) crystal arrays 20, each having 4x8 individual detectors 22. In the preferred CZT embodiment, a potential difference of -600 V applied across the detector arrays by high voltage filter circuits powered by a high voltage power supply 24.

In the preferred embodiments, the detector array 18 and collimators 16 are mounted on a mechanized drive 30 that moves the detector array. Preferably, the array moves with lateral rotational components of motion, although various trajectories are contemplated. In some applications, the detector array is stationarily mounted within a movable gantry that is indexed around the region of interest.

In the preferred embodiment, the support is mounted on a rotatable gantry 32 which extends fully around the subject

10. A motor control 34 selects a range of motion of the detector array 18, if any, within the rotatable gantry and rotation of the gantry 32 stepwise or continuously around the image region.

In SPECT imaging, the collimator 16 limits access to the detector array 18 to radiation following prescribed paths or trajectories, e.g., trajectories perpendicular to the plane of the detector array 18. In this manner, each radiation event defines a trajectory along which a radioisotope decayed. If the movable gantry 32 remains stationary, the detectors define a projection image of the radioisotope distribution in the region of interest. An event analyzer 42 determines the location at which each event strikes the detector array, i.e., which detector receives it and the amount of energy of the radiation event. The radiation events collected at each stationary position of the detector array are stored in an archive 44. When the rotatable gantry 32 is rotated to different angular positions around the subject, a plurality of projection images from different angular orientations are collected. A reconstruction processor 46 backprojects or otherwise reconstructs the data from the archive memory 44 into a volumetric image representation for storage in a volumetric image memory 48. A video processor 50 under operator control selectively withdraws portions of the volumetric image representation and converts them into appropriate form for display on a video or other human-readable monitor 52. With reference to FIGURE 3 and continuing reference to FIGURES 1 and 2, received γ-rays are detected and their energy measured by electronics attached to the detector array 18. Four P-ASIC 60 are mounted on each side of a circuit board or pair of back-to-back circuit boards 62 that support four of the detector arrays. More specifically to the preferred embodiment, each P-ASIC preamplifies half of one of the arrays 20.

Each time a γ-ray strikes one of the detectors, an avalanche effect releases electrons producing an output electrical pulse. Associated P-ASICs 60 powered by voltage regulator 66 amplify and condition the pulses from the detectors. Subsequent electronic components 64 select and multiplex a signal of interest to circuits that digitize and archive the series of outputs to portions of the event analyzer 42 mounted remotely.

With reference to FIGURE 4, in the preferred embodiment, the circuitry 64 or the remote portion of event analyzer 42 is normally idle 70, awaiting an electrical signal.

When the event analyzer 42 receives an electrical signal, it compares it to a threshold 72. If the signal is less than the threshold, it is ignored as noise, and the analyzer 42 goes back to idle. If the signal is above the threshold, the analyzer classifies it as an event 74, and records 76 the energy of the signal, and the position of the detector 22 that sent the signal. ^The analyzer 42 then communicates 78 this information to the event archive 44 where it is stored for future use. After this communication, the analyzer 42 returns to idle awaiting the next event. In the preferred embodiment, once the analyzer 42 comes out of idle, in the next clock cycle, (preferably within 20 ns) other events are locked out until the analyzer 42 returns to idle. In the case of a true event, the process is completed, and the analyzer is back in idle in less than 2 μs. In the case of a false event, the analyzer 42 includes a timeout feature that only allows a set amount of time to determine the truth of an event. In the case of noise, the analyzer waits to see if the threshold is reached, but will return to idle within 2 μs of detecting the noise. The circuit 64 includes plural parallel channels, in the preferred embodiment a channel for each half of an array 20. In the unlikely instance of two or more simultaneous

(within 20 ns of each other) events incident upon the same half of a detector array, both events are discarded as they are difficult to isolate.

In the preferred embodiment, eight low-noise P-ASIC integrated circuits 60 and at least one low noise linear power regulator 66 that preamplify signals from the four detector crystal arrays 20 are supported by each two sided circuit board or circuit board pair. These elements, when in operation, jointly produce a significant amount of heat. The P-ASICs typically generate about 300-500 mW each and the voltage regulators about 150-250 mW each. Having all of the components located on a circuit board running parallel to the detector would heat and damage or destroy the components . In the preferred embodiment, connector patterns are alternated to allow the circuit boards 62 to be placed perpendicular to ,the detector array 18. The circuit boards are spaced to define air channels or ducts 80 therebetween to dissipate heat.

As shown in FIGURE 3, the circuit boards 62 have vertical connector sockets 82. More specifically, each of the detector arrays 20 has two rows of pins extending from its lower side. Each back-to-back circuit board pair or two-sided circuit board 62 includes four sockets 82 mounted facing toward one of the edges. Placing sockets on opposite sides of the circuit board provides a stable mechanical mounting for each array as well as a reliable electrical interconnection.

In the preferred embodiment, with reference to FIGURE 5 a set of fans 84 draw outside air through the channels 80 across the circuit boards 62 cooling the components located thereon. More specifically, the fans are mounted in apertures in one side wall of a housing 84 opposite an air inlet 86.

When the top and bottom of the housing are closed, air flow is constrained to flow along the boards, over the components.

Optionally, a coolant or liquid cryogen, additional fans, or the like are incorporated in the housing to enhance cooling.

In an alternate embodiment, the radioactive source is mounted and fixed on the opposite side of the subject across from the detector array. In this manner, the γ-rays which originate outside the subject either from a point or line source of radioactive material or a low power x-ray tube pass through the subject.

Claims

Having thus described the preferred embodiments, the invention is now claimed to be:

1. A nuclear imaging apparatus comprising: an array of detectors (18) for detecting γ-rays from an imaging region (12); electronics (60, 64) that process γ-ray information from the detectors; a cooling system that removes heat from the electronics (60, 64) ; and, a reconstruction processor (46) that processes the γ-ray information into an image representation.

2. The nuclear imaging apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the array of detectors (18) includes an array of cadmium- zinc-telluride arrays (20) .

3. The nuclear imaging apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further including: radiation opaque vanes (16) disposed parallel with respect to one another and extending toward the imaging region from the array of detectors (18) for collimating the γ-rays in one dimension.

4. The nuclear imaging apparatus as set forth in any one of claims 1, 2, and 3, wherein the cooling system includes: a cooling region (80) within which the electronics

(60, 64) are disposed; and, a first fan (84) disposed adjacent the cooling region to remove heat from the vicinity of the electronics (60, 64) .

5. The nuclear imaging apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein the cooling system further includes: a plurality of fans (84) that draw air in a common direction across the electronics (60, 64) .

6. The nuclear imaging apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein the electronics includes: a plurality of circuit boards (62) that generate heat .

7. The nuclear imaging apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein the circuit boards (62) to are disposed: parallel with respect to one another; adjacent the detector array (18); and, perpendicular to the detector array (18) , whereby said disposition facilitates cooling of the electronics (60,

64) .

8. The nuclear imaging apparatus as set forth in claims 7 further including sockets (82) and L-shaped connector pins for mounting the circuit boards.

9. The nuclear imaging apparatus as set forth in any one of claims 1-8, wherein the electronics include a plurality of event analyzers (42) that determine event information, the event information including: a logical truth of a received event; a location of a corresponding individual detector at a time of the received event; and, an energy of the received event.

10. The nuclear imaging apparatus as set forth in claim 9, further including an event archive (44) that receives and stores the event information.

11. The nuclear imaging apparatus as set forth in any one of claims 1-3, wherein: the detector array (18) is an array of solid state detector arrays (20) ; the electronics include a plurality of circuit boards (62) mounted to a housing transverse to the array of detector arrays (18) to define air channels (80) therebetween, the circuit boards (62) each supporting a plurality of detector arrays (20) along one edge thereof; and further including: a plurality of P-ASICs (60) for preamplifying signals from the solid state detector arrays (20) , the P-ASICS (60) mounted to the circuit boards (62) and extending into the air channels (80) ; a plurality of signal processing components (64) mounted to the circuit boards (62) for processing signals generated by the detector arrays (20) ; and, a movable gantry (32) for moving the housing around the imaging region (12) .

12. The nuclear imaging apparatus as set forth in claim 11, further including: fans (84) mounted to the housing to draw air along the air channels (80) cooling the P-ASICs (60) .

13. The nuclear imaging apparatus as set forth in either one of claims 11 and 12, wherein the circuit boards (62) are mounted back-to-back in pairs, each pair separated from adjacent pairs by the air channels (80).

14. The nuclear imaging apparatus as set forth in any one of claims 11, 12, and 13, further including high voltage filtering circuitry that : applies a high-voltage bias to the array; and, applies a Faraday shield around the array.

15. A method of nuclear imaging comprising: injecting a subject (10) with a radiopharmaceutical

(14) ; detecting γ-ray irradiation indicative of nuclear decay events of the radiopharmaceutical (14) ; reconstructing the detected γ-rays into an image representation of the subject (10) ; arranging circuit elements (60, 62, 64) to facilitate their cooling; and, cooling the circuit elements (60, 62, 64) used in a processing of the γ-ray irradiation.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the step of arranging the circuit elements (60, 62, 64) includes: disposing ASICs (60) and detector array supporting circuit boards (62) parallel with respect to one another and perpendicular to a detector array (18) .

17. The method according to one of claims 15, and 16, wherein cooling the circuit elements (60, 62, 64) includes: moving outside air through cooling channels (80) defined between the circuit boards (62) .

18. A method of nuclear imaging comprising: receiving γ-rays with an array of detector arrays (18) , a plurality of the detector arrays (20) mounted transversely to an edge of each of a plurality of ASIC (60) carrying circuit boards (62) ; passing air along channels (80) defined between the circuit boards (62) and under the detector arrays (20) to cool the ASICs (60) ; processing signals from the detector arrays (20) into image representations; and, converting the image representations into human readable displays.

19. The method as set forth in claim 18, wherein the detector arrays (20) are arrays of cadmium-zinc-telluride detectors (22) that convert γ-rays into the signals and wherein the processing step includes: at least partially processing the signals on the circuit boards (62) .

20. The method as set forth in claim 19, further including biasing the detector arrays (20) with a filtering circuit that forms a Faraday shield around the detector arrays (20) .