EP3751593A1 - Dispositif à rayons x et procédé d'application de rayonnement de rayons x - Google Patents

Dispositif à rayons x et procédé d'application de rayonnement de rayons x Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3751593A1
EP3751593A1 EP19179329.8A EP19179329A EP3751593A1 EP 3751593 A1 EP3751593 A1 EP 3751593A1 EP 19179329 A EP19179329 A EP 19179329A EP 3751593 A1 EP3751593 A1 EP 3751593A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cathode
ray
anode
ray radiation
housing
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP19179329.8A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Jörg FREUDENBERGER
Anja Fritzler
Peter Geithner
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Siemens Healthcare GmbH
Original Assignee
Siemens Healthcare GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Siemens Healthcare GmbH filed Critical Siemens Healthcare GmbH
Priority to EP19179329.8A priority Critical patent/EP3751593A1/fr
Publication of EP3751593A1 publication Critical patent/EP3751593A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J35/00—X-ray tubes
    • H01J35/02—Details
    • H01J35/04—Electrodes ; Mutual position thereof; Constructional adaptations therefor
    • H01J35/06—Cathodes
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J2235/00—X-ray tubes
    • H01J2235/06—Cathode assembly
    • H01J2235/062—Cold cathodes
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J2235/00—X-ray tubes
    • H01J2235/16—Vessels

Definitions

  • the present application is directed to an x-ray device and a method of applying x-ray radiation.
  • X-ray radiation is being used in a multitude of applications, ranging from medicinal imaging or therapy, security checks at airports, to crystallography.
  • the most common devices for generating x-ray radiation are x-ray tubes, which are vacuum tubes in which electrons are emitted by a cathode and accelerated towards an anode, where the electrons produce x-ray radiations through bremsstrahlung or other physical processes.
  • X-ray tubes are generally simpler in construction and use than other ways of producing x-ray radiation like for example synchrotron radiation generated in particle accelerators.
  • US 2018/0333591 A1 describes such an x-ray device, which further comprises a converter to transform polychromatic x-ray radiation produced by bremsstrahlung into characteristic monochromatic radiation.
  • Said x-ray device and other similar x-ray devices as described for example in DE 19 639 241 C2 , have complex beamlines for both the electrons traveling from the cathode to the anode and for the x-ray radiation traveling from the anode to the point of application.
  • an objective of the present invention is to provide means to simplify the beamlines of electrons and x-ray radiation in an x-ray device.
  • this task is solved by an x-ray device with the characteristics of the patent claim 1, and by a method of applying x-ray radiation with the features of the patent claim 14.
  • an x-ray device which comprises a housing configured to provide a vacuum therein, a cathode configured to emit electrons, an anode configured to produce x-ray radiation when impacted by electrons emitted by the cathode, and an application device configured to apply the x-ray radiation produced by the anode.
  • the cathode comprises a material transparent to x-ray radiation and is arranged such that x-ray radiation produced by the anode passes through the cathode.
  • a method of applying x-ray radiation is provided.
  • electrons are emitted from a cathode.
  • X-ray radiation is produced with an anode being impacted by the electrons emitted from the cathode, and the x-ray radiation produced by the anode is applied.
  • the cathode comprises a material transparent to x-ray radiation and is arranged such that x-ray radiation produced by the anode passes through the cathode before being applied.
  • the cathode forms part of the housing. This configuration allows exterior access to the cathode which can advantageously simplify design, construction, and maintenance of the x-ray device.
  • the anode forms part of the housing. This configuration allows exterior access to the anode which can advantageously simplify design, construction, and maintenance of the x-ray device.
  • the cathode is arranged between the anode and the application device. This arrangement allows an advantageously easy guidance of the electrons from the cathode to the anode and subsequently of the produced x-ray radiation from the anode to the converter.
  • the cathode is arranged in a cylindrical shape and the anode is arranged in a cylindrical shape surrounding the cathode.
  • This arrangement provides an advantageously simple guiding of the electrons from the cathode to the anode.
  • the anode can be realized in a large size, which advantageously improves the heat capacity and heat dissipation through a large exterior surface.
  • the application device is arranged outside the housing. This configuration allows exterior access to the application device which can advantageously simplify design, construction, and maintenance of the x-ray device
  • the application device is configured to be exchangeable. This allows advantageously quick and easy refurbishing of the x-ray device to be customized for different parameters of use.
  • the application device comprises a converter, configured to convert incident x-ray radiation into monochromatic x-ray radiation.
  • Monochromatic x-ray radiation is very desirable in many applications, in particular in medical diagnosis, where the radiation dosage can be significantly reduced by employing monochromatic x-ray radiation.
  • the application device comprises a collimator configured to narrow the x-ray radiation.
  • a collimator configured to narrow the x-ray radiation.
  • the x-ray device comprises a cooling device configured to cool the anode. Actively cooling the anode which gets heated by the impacting electrons from the cathode advantageously prolongs the expected life span of the x-ray device and increases its safety.
  • the cathode is provided with high negative voltage and the anode is grounded.
  • design, construction, and maintenance of the anode part of the x-ray device is advantageously simplified.
  • the cathode is grounded and the anode is provided with high positive voltage.
  • design, construction, and maintenance of the cathode part of the x-ray device is advantageously simplified.
  • a surface of the anode facing the cathode comprises a dome shape.
  • the surface of the cathode which is impacted by electrons from the cathode is increased, which advantageously improves the production of x-ray radiation by the anode.
  • the x-ray radiation produced by the anode is converted into monochromatic x-ray radiation, which is then subsequently applied.
  • Monochromatic x-ray radiation is very desirable in many applications, in particular in medical diagnosis, where the radiation dosage can be significantly reduced by employing monochromatic x-ray radiation.
  • FIG 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of an x-ray device 1.
  • the x-ray device comprises a housing 2, a cathode 3, an anode 4, and an application device 5.
  • the housing 2 is airtight and configured to provide a vacuum therein.
  • the cathode 3 and the anode 4 are arranged inside the housing 2.
  • the application device 5 is arranged to form part of the housing 2.
  • the cathode 3 comprises a material transparent to x-ray radiation and is arranged between the anode 4 and the application device 5.
  • the cathode 3 In use, the cathode 3 emits electrons into the vacuum inside the housing 2, for example through the field emission effect, thermionic emission, or other well-known physical processes. Under effect of the electrical field between the cathode 3 and the anode 4, the electrons are accelerated towards the anode 4. Upon impacting on the anode 4, the electrons interact with the anode 4 and thereby produce x-ray radiation through bremsstrahlung, characteristic x-ray emission, or the like. This x-ray radiation radiates outwards from the anode 4 back in the direction of the cathode 3.
  • the cathode 3 comprises a material transparent to x-ray radiation
  • the x-ray radiation passes through the cathode 3 towards the application device 5, from where it can be applied for any conceivable beneficial effect.
  • the application device 5 comprises an aperture through which x-ray radiation can be directed towards a target, for example to use for medical imaging, or for sterilization of materials.
  • the cathode 3 may for example comprise carbon nanotube emitters arranged on a ceramic substrate, for example Aluminum-Nitride or Silicone-Carbide.
  • the cathode may further comprise control electrodes made from Beryllium, Aluminum or other conductive materials comprising elements with low atomic number, preferably with an atomic number of less than 20.
  • the cathode 3 can however also comprise other materials transparent to x-ray radiation.
  • the cathode 3 can for example comprise a Silicone based Field emission emitter.
  • FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross-section through a part of a further embodiment of an x-ray device 1.
  • the application device 5 comprises a converter 6, comprising a truncated pyramid shape, and a collimator 7.
  • the components of the x-ray device 1 are configured and arranged rotationally symmetrical around an axis of symmetry X passing through the center of the converter 6.
  • Both the cathode 3 and the anode 4 of the embodiment shown in Figure 2 comprise a cylindrical shape, wherein the cathode 3 is arranged surrounding the converter 6 and the anode 4 is arranged surrounding the cathode 3.
  • the converter 6 and the collimator 7 are arranged outside of the housing 2 and the cathode 3 is configured to form part of the housing 2.
  • the x-ray device 1 functions essentially the same as the x-ray device 1 described in conjunction with Figure 1 .
  • the arrangement of the cathode 3 and the anode 4 greatly increases the impact surface of the anode 4, resulting in a high intensity of the produced x-ray radiation.
  • the x-ray radiation produced by the anode 4 passes through the cathode 3 and impacts the converter 6, which converts the x-ray radiation produced by the anode 4, e.g. through bremsstrahlung, into monochromatic x-ray radiation.
  • the collimator 7 is arranged in such a way as to narrow the converted monochromatic x-ray radiation even further.
  • converter 6 and collimator 7 are arranged outside the housing 2. It is easily possible to configure the application device 5 to be exchangeable. In that way, for example different converters 6 can be provided in accordance to the specific desired application of the x-ray device 1.
  • FIG 3 shows a schematic cross-section through a part of a further embodiment of an x-ray device 1.
  • the x-ray device 1 comprises essentially the same features as the x-ray device 1 shown in Figure 2 .
  • the cathode 3 is connected to the other parts of the housing 2 by a first isolator 8, which comprises for example Aluminum Oxide.
  • the housing 2 is further surrounded by a second isolator 9, which can for example comprise Polyether ether ketone, which is transparent to x-ray radiation.
  • the x-ray device comprises a secondary collimator 10.
  • the cathode is supplied with a high voltage, for example upwards of 100kV, the exact circuitry used not being shown for clarity of the drawing. Doing so requires providing first isolator 8 and second isolator 9, but is beneficial for the anode 4, which is not supplied with any voltage.
  • a cooling device which is not shown, can be provided to utilize water cooling for the anode 4 in a simple and safe manner. Other forms of cooling, like air cooling or utilizing any other cooling medium, can also be provided.
  • the anode 4 can be supplied with a high voltage and the cathode 3 can be grounded.
  • the cathode 3 can be grounded.
  • a simpler arrangement of the cathode 3, similar to the one shown in Figure 2 may suffice.
  • Figure 4 shows a schematic cross-section through a part of a further embodiment of an x-ray device 1.
  • the embodiment shown in Figure 4 comprises essentially all features of the x-ray device shown in Figure 3 .
  • a surface of the anode 4 facing the cathode 3 comprises a dome like shape. This further increases the surface area of the anode 4 impacted by the electrons emitted by the cathode 3.
  • the intensity of x-ray radiation impacting on the converter 6 is increased, as the converter 6 is situated in the focal point of the anode 4.
  • Figure 5 shows a schematic flow chart of a method 100 of applying x-ray radiation.
  • a first method step 101 electrons are emitted by a cathode. The electrons are accelerated away from the electron and impact on an anode, thereby producing x-ray radiation in a further method step 102.
  • the x-ray radiation produced in method step 102 is then applied in a further method step 103.
  • the x-ray radiation produced in method step 102 passes through the cathode, which comprises a material transparent to x-ray radiation.
  • Figure 6 shows a schematic flow chart of a further method 100 of applying x-ray radiation.
  • the method 100 shown in Figure 6 differs from the method 100 shown in Figure 5 in that it comprises a further method step 104.
  • the x-ray radiation produced in method step 102 is converted into monochromatic x-ray radiation, which is then subsequently applied in method step 103.

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  • X-Ray Techniques (AREA)
EP19179329.8A 2019-06-11 2019-06-11 Dispositif à rayons x et procédé d'application de rayonnement de rayons x Withdrawn EP3751593A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP19179329.8A EP3751593A1 (fr) 2019-06-11 2019-06-11 Dispositif à rayons x et procédé d'application de rayonnement de rayons x

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP19179329.8A EP3751593A1 (fr) 2019-06-11 2019-06-11 Dispositif à rayons x et procédé d'application de rayonnement de rayons x

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3751593A1 true EP3751593A1 (fr) 2020-12-16

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EP19179329.8A Withdrawn EP3751593A1 (fr) 2019-06-11 2019-06-11 Dispositif à rayons x et procédé d'application de rayonnement de rayons x

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EP (1) EP3751593A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP4125110A1 (fr) 2021-07-30 2023-02-01 Siemens Healthcare GmbH Tube à rayons x pour une imagerie stéréoscopique

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19639241C2 (de) 1996-09-24 1998-07-23 Siemens Ag Monochromatische Röntgenstrahlenquelle
US6333968B1 (en) * 2000-05-05 2001-12-25 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Transmission cathode for X-ray production
US6477233B1 (en) * 1999-06-04 2002-11-05 Radi Medical Technologies Ab Miniature x-ray source
US20080267354A1 (en) * 2003-05-22 2008-10-30 Comet Holding Ag. High-Dose X-Ray Tube
US20180333591A1 (en) 2017-05-19 2018-11-22 Imagine Scientific, Inc. Monochromatic x-ray imaging systems and methods

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19639241C2 (de) 1996-09-24 1998-07-23 Siemens Ag Monochromatische Röntgenstrahlenquelle
US6477233B1 (en) * 1999-06-04 2002-11-05 Radi Medical Technologies Ab Miniature x-ray source
US6333968B1 (en) * 2000-05-05 2001-12-25 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Transmission cathode for X-ray production
US20080267354A1 (en) * 2003-05-22 2008-10-30 Comet Holding Ag. High-Dose X-Ray Tube
US20180333591A1 (en) 2017-05-19 2018-11-22 Imagine Scientific, Inc. Monochromatic x-ray imaging systems and methods

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP4125110A1 (fr) 2021-07-30 2023-02-01 Siemens Healthcare GmbH Tube à rayons x pour une imagerie stéréoscopique
US11901152B2 (en) 2021-07-30 2024-02-13 Siemens Healthcare Gmbh X-ray tube for a stereoscopic imaging

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