JP5766128B2 - X-ray tube apparatus and X-ray CT apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an X-ray tube apparatus and an X-ray CT (Computed Tomography) apparatus.

  An X-ray CT device is an X-ray tube device that irradiates a subject with X-rays, and an X-ray detector that detects X-ray dose transmitted through the subject as projection data by rotating the subject around the subject. The tomographic image of the subject is reconstructed using the obtained projection data from a plurality of angles, and the reconstructed tomographic image is displayed. The image displayed by the X-ray CT apparatus describes the shape of an organ in the subject and is used for diagnostic imaging.

  In recent developments of X-ray CT apparatuses, the imaging time has been shortened by rotating a scanner equipped with an X-ray tube apparatus and an X-ray detector at a higher speed. In order to maintain the image quality of tomographic images even when the scanner rotates at high speed, it is necessary to increase the X-ray dose per unit time generated from the X-ray tube device. To increase the X-ray dose, the tube current must be increased and the amount of heat generated in the X-ray tube increases. The X-ray tube is enlarged in order to allow the increased amount of heat. An X-ray tube device is an X-ray tube housed in a container. Increasing the size of the X-ray tube makes it difficult to store it in a container.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an X-ray tube apparatus in which a container is divided in parallel with the tube axis of the X-ray tube in order to facilitate the operation of storing the X-ray tube in the container.

JP 2003-31396 JP

  However, Patent Document 1 does not give consideration to easily manufacturing a container. In the container divided in parallel with the tube axis of the X-ray tube, the area that becomes a flat portion such as a joint surface between the divided portions becomes wide. It is necessary to use milling for the production of the flat part. Since milling has a machining removal efficiency of about 1/5 to 1/10 of lathe machining, it takes about 5 to 10 times longer to machine the same volume.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an X-ray tube apparatus having a structure that can be easily manufactured, and to provide an X-ray CT apparatus equipped with the X-ray tube apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is characterized in that an X-ray tube that generates X-rays is stored in a container that can be manufactured by lathe processing.

  Specifically, an X-ray tube apparatus comprising an X-ray tube that generates X-rays and a container that stores the X-ray tube, wherein the container is in a tube axis direction of the X-ray tube. The X-ray tube apparatus includes a plurality of divided containers divided vertically, and the divided container has a cylindrical shape having a circumferential inner surface.

  In addition, the X-ray tube device, the X-ray detector that is disposed opposite to the X-ray tube device and detects X-rays transmitted through the subject, the X-ray tube device and the X-ray detector are mounted, and the target is mounted. A rotating disk that rotates around the specimen, an image reconstruction device that reconstructs a tomographic image of the subject based on transmitted X-ray doses from a plurality of angles detected by the X-ray detector, and the image reconstruction device. An X-ray CT apparatus comprising: an image display device that displays a reconstructed tomographic image.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the X-ray tube apparatus of the structure which can be manufactured easily can be provided, and the X-ray CT apparatus carrying the X-ray tube apparatus can be provided.

The block diagram which shows the whole structure of the X-ray CT apparatus of this invention Schematic sectional view showing the overall configuration of the X-ray tube apparatus of the present invention Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the container of 1st embodiment The schematic perspective view which shows the structure of the container of 1st embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the modification of the container of 1st embodiment Explanatory drawing of the process of storing the X-ray tube in the container of the first embodiment Sectional drawing which shows the modification of X-ray tube apparatus of 1st embodiment Schematic cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of the X-ray tube apparatus of the second embodiment Schematic cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of the X-ray tube apparatus of the third embodiment Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the container of 3rd embodiment.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of an X-ray CT apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description and the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the constituent elements having the same functional configuration, and redundant description will be omitted.

  FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an X-ray CT apparatus 1 to which the present invention is applied. The X-ray CT apparatus 1 includes a scan gantry unit 100 and a console 120.

  The scan gantry unit 100 includes an X-ray tube device 101, a rotating disk 102, a collimator 103, an X-ray detector 106, a data collection device 107, a bed 105, a gantry control device 108, and a bed control device 109. An X-ray control device 110. The X-ray tube device 101 is a device that irradiates a subject placed on a bed 105 with X-rays. The collimator 103 is a device that limits the radiation range of X-rays emitted from the X-ray tube device 101. The rotating disk 102 includes an opening 104 into which the subject placed on the bed 105 enters, and is equipped with an X-ray tube device 101 and an X-ray detector 106, and rotates around the subject. The X-ray detector 106 is a device that measures the spatial distribution of transmitted X-rays by detecting X-rays that are disposed opposite to the X-ray tube device 101 and transmitted through the subject. The rotating disk 102 is arranged in the rotating direction, or the rotating disk 102 is arranged two-dimensionally in the rotating direction and the rotating shaft direction. The data collection device 107 is a device that collects the X-ray dose detected by the X-ray detector 106 as digital data. The gantry control device 108 is a device that controls the rotation of the rotary disk 102. The bed control device 109 is a device that controls the vertical movement of the bed 105. The X-ray control device 110 is a device that controls electric power input to the X-ray tube device 101.

  The console 120 includes an input device 121, an image arithmetic device 122, a display device 125, a storage device 123, and a system control device 124. The input device 121 is a device for inputting a subject's name, examination date and time, imaging conditions, and the like, specifically a keyboard or a pointing device. The image computation device 122 is a device that performs CT processing on the measurement data sent from the data collection device 107 and performs CT image reconstruction. The display device 125 is a device that displays the CT image created by the image calculation device 122, and is specifically a CRT (Cathode-Ray Tube), a liquid crystal display, or the like. The storage device 123 is a device that stores data collected by the data collection device 107 and image data of a CT image created by the image calculation device 122, and is specifically an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or the like. The system control device 124 is a device that controls these devices, the gantry control device 108, the bed control device 109, and the X-ray control device 110.

  The X-ray tube device 101 is controlled by the X-ray controller 110 controlling the power input to the X-ray tube device 101 based on the imaging conditions input from the input device 121, in particular, the X-ray tube voltage and the X-ray tube current. Irradiates the subject with X-rays according to imaging conditions. The X-ray detector 106 detects X-rays irradiated from the X-ray tube apparatus 101 and transmitted through the subject with a large number of X-ray detection elements, and measures the distribution of transmitted X-rays. The rotating disk 102 is controlled by the gantry control device 108, and rotates based on the photographing conditions input from the input device 121, particularly the rotation speed. The couch 105 is controlled by the couch controller 109 and operates based on the photographing conditions input from the input device 121, particularly the helical pitch.

  By repeating the X-ray irradiation from the X-ray tube device 101 and the measurement of the transmitted X-ray distribution by the X-ray detector 106 along with the rotation of the rotating disk 102, projection data from various angles is acquired. The acquired projection data from various angles is transmitted to the image calculation device 122. The image calculation device 122 reconstructs the CT image by performing a back projection process on the transmitted projection data from various angles. The CT image obtained by reconstruction is displayed on the display device 125.

  In order to obtain a CT image of a moving organ such as the heart, it is necessary to rotate the rotating disk 102 at a speed of about 0.3 seconds / rotation. Since the weight of the X-ray tube apparatus 101 occupies about 20 to 30% in the mounted material of the rotating disk 102, the load on the rotational drive system of the X-ray CT apparatus 1 is reduced by reducing the weight of the X-ray tube apparatus 101. Can be reduced. If the load on the rotary drive system can be reduced, it will be advantageous in terms of reliability and price of the rotary drive system. Therefore, the X-ray tube device 101 is preferably lighter.

  The configuration of the X-ray tube apparatus 101 will be described with reference to FIG. The X-ray tube apparatus 101 includes an X-ray tube 210 that generates X-rays and a container 220 that stores the X-ray tube 210.

  The X-ray tube 210 includes a cathode 211 that generates an electron beam, an anode 212 to which a positive high potential is applied to the cathode 211, and a vacuum envelope 213 that holds the cathode 211 and the anode 212 in a vacuum atmosphere. Prepare.

  The cathode 211 includes a filament or a cold cathode and a focusing electrode. The filament is formed by winding a high melting point material such as tungsten in a coil shape, and is heated when a current is passed to emit thermoelectrons. A cold cathode is formed by sharpening a metal material such as nickel or molybdenum, and emits electrons by field emission when an electric field is concentrated on the cathode surface. The focusing electrode forms a focusing electric field for focusing the emitted electrons toward the X-ray focal point 216 on the anode 212. The filament or cold cathode and the focusing electrode are at the same potential.

  The anode 212 includes a target and an anode base material. The target is made of a material having a high melting point and a large atomic number, such as tungsten. X-rays 217 are emitted from the X-ray focal point 216 when electrons emitted from the cathode 211 collide with the X-ray focal point 216 on the target. The anode base material holds the target and is made of a material having high thermal conductivity such as copper. The target and the anode base material are at the same potential.

  The vacuum envelope 213 is held in a vacuum atmosphere in order to insulate the cathode 211 and the anode 212 from each other. The vacuum envelope 213 is provided with a radiation window 218 for emitting X-rays 217 to the outside of the X-ray tube 210. The radiation window 218 is made of a material having a small atomic number such as beryllium having a high X-ray transmittance.

  The electrons emitted from the cathode 211 are accelerated by a high voltage applied between the cathode and the anode and become an electron beam 215. When the electron beam 215 is focused by the focusing electric field and collides with the X-ray focal point 216 on the target, X-rays 217 are generated from the X-ray focal point 216. The energy of the generated X-ray is determined by a high voltage applied between the cathode and the anode, so-called tube voltage. The dose of X-rays generated depends on the amount of electrons emitted from the cathode, the so-called tube current and the tube voltage.

  Of the energy of the electron beam 215, the ratio of being converted to X-rays is only about 1%, and most of the remaining energy is heat. In the X-ray tube apparatus 101 used in the X-ray CT apparatus 1, since the tube voltage is several hundreds kV and the tube current is several hundred mA, the anode 212 is heated with a heat quantity of several tens kW. In order to prevent the anode 212 from being overheated and melted by such heating, the anode 212 is connected to the rotating device 214 and is rotated about the one-dot chain line 219 in FIG. . The rotating device 214 includes an exciting coil 214B that generates a magnetic field serving as a rotational driving force, and a rotor 214A that rotates by receiving the magnetic field generated by the exciting coil 214B. The rotation axis of the anode 212 is hereinafter referred to as a tube axis 219 of the X-ray tube 210.

  By rotating the anode 212, the X-ray focal point 216 where the electron beam 215 collides always moves, so that the temperature of the X-ray focal point 216 can be kept lower than the melting point of the target, and the anode 212 is overheated and melted. Can be prevented. The generated heat amount needs to be quickly discharged outside the pipe. However, when the heat input amount is large, the temporarily generated heat amount needs to be accumulated in the pipe. Therefore, in many X-ray tubes, the volume of the anode 212 is increased in order to increase the amount of stored heat, and accordingly the X-ray tube 210 is also increased in size.

  The radiation window 218 is also exposed to radiant heat from the X-ray focal point 216 and recoil electrons that bounce off the surface of the anode 212. Therefore, in order to prevent the radiation window 218 from being overheated, the radiation window 218 is projected in a direction away from the anode 212. In order to avoid an increase in the size of the X-ray tube 210, only the radiation window 218 is projected, so that the X-ray tube 210 has a non-axisymmetric shape with respect to the tube axis 219.

  The container 220 in which the X-ray tube 210 is stored is filled with cooling water as a cooling medium or insulating oil as a cooling medium while electrically insulating the X-ray tube 210. The cooling water or insulating oil filled in the container 220 is guided to the cooler 302 through the pipe 301 connected to the container 220 of the X-ray tube apparatus 101, and after the heat is dissipated in the cooler 302, the pipe 301 Returned into container 220.

Hereinafter, the structure of the container 220 will be described with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the container 220 of the first embodiment cut in parallel with the tube axis 219 of the X-ray tube. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the container 220 of the first embodiment. The container 220 of the present embodiment is divided in the direction of the tube axis 219 of the X-ray tube 210, and includes a plurality of divided portions each having a cylindrical shape having a circumferential inner surface. That is, the container 220 of the present embodiment includes a cathode side container 220A, a cathode side disk 220B, a central container 220C, an anode side disk 220D, and an anode side container 220E. Sealing members 230A to 230D are disposed between the divided containers 220A to 220E.

  The cathode side container 220A is a hat-shaped container having a hat shape in which a circular bottom surface part 220A1 and an annular flange part 220A2 are provided on a cylinder. Since the hat-shaped container has a shaft target structure that can be manufactured by a lathe process, it can be easily manufactured without requiring a long time. The flange portion 220A2 serves as a connection portion with the cathode side disk 220B, and includes a plurality of through holes 220A3 arranged at a predetermined interval. The flange portion may be provided with a groove in which the sealing member 230A is disposed.

  The cathode side disc 220B is a disc having a circular opening 220B1. The cathode-side disc 220B is sized to cover the maximum width of the X-ray tube 210 in the direction orthogonal to the tube axis 219, that is, the width of the X-ray tube 210 including the protruding radiation window 218. On the other hand, the center of the opening 220B1 is preferably aligned with the tube axis 219 of the X-ray tube 210 in order not to create an extra space in the container 220, so the opening 220B1 is located with respect to the center of the cathode side disk 220B. Provided in an eccentric position. The opening 220B1 has the same size as the inner diameter of the cathode side container 220A. Since the outer shape of the cathode-side disc 220B is a disc shape, it can be easily manufactured without requiring a long time by lathe processing. The opening 220B1 provided at an eccentric position is manufactured by laser processing or the like. The cathode side disk 220B is provided with a screw hole 220B2 used for connection with the cathode side container 220A at a position corresponding to the through hole 220A3 provided in the flange portion 220A2 of the cathode side container 220A. The cathode-side disc 220B is connected to the cathode-side container 220A using screws 221. The screw hole 220B2 may or may not penetrate the cathode side disk 220B. However, when the screw hole 220B2 penetrates the cathode side disk 220B, a means is used so that the cooling water or the insulating oil filled in the container 220 does not leak from the screw hole 220B2. The cathode side disk 220B is provided with a plurality of through holes 220B3 used for connection with the central container 220C at a predetermined interval. The cathode side disk 220B may be provided with a groove in which the sealing member 230A and the sealing member 230B are disposed.

  The central container 220C is a cylinder having an inner diameter that can cover the width of the X-ray tube 210 including the protruding radiation window 218. Therefore, the center of the central container 220C is positioned eccentric to the radiation window 218 side with respect to the tube axis 219 of the X-ray tube 210. That is, the centers of the cathode side container 220A and the anode side container 220E are arranged so as to be shifted from the center of the central container 220C. Since the central container 220C has a cylindrical shape, it can be easily manufactured without requiring a long time by lathe processing. A support portion used for supporting the X-ray tube 210 is provided on the inner surface of the central container 220C. A material having a small atomic number, such as beryllium having a high X-ray transmittance, is disposed at a position where the radiation window 218 on the side surface of the central container 220C is opposed to the X-ray radiation. The central container 220C is provided with a screw hole 220C1 used for connection with the cathode side disc 220B and the anode side disc 220D. The central container 220C is connected to the cathode side disk 220B using screws 221. The screw hole 220C1 may or may not penetrate the central container 220C. The central container 220C may be provided with a groove in which the sealing member 230B and the sealing member 230C are disposed.

  The anode side disc 220D has the same shape as the cathode side disc 220B. Since the production time can be shortened by sharing parts that are easy to produce, it is preferable that the anode-side disc 220D and the cathode-side disc 220B have the same dimensions. However, the size of the opening 220D1 may be appropriately changed according to the size of the X-ray tube 210. The anode side disc 220D can be easily manufactured in the same manner as the cathode side disc 220B.

  The anode side container 220E has the same shape as the cathode side container 220A. Since the production time can be shortened by sharing parts that are easy to produce, it is preferable that the anode side container 220E and the cathode side container 220A have the same dimensions. However, the height and inner diameter of the cylinder, which are the distance between the bottom surface portion 220E1 and the flange portion 220E2, may be appropriately changed according to the size of the X-ray tube 210. The anode side container 220E can be easily manufactured similarly to the cathode side container 220A.

  As described above, since the divided containers 220A to 220E have a cylindrical shape having a circumferential inner surface, most of the parts can be manufactured by lathe processing and can be processed without requiring a long time. Moreover, since all of the divided containers 220A to 220E are relatively large, a cast member may be used as an initial material, and finishing may be performed by machining. Even in such a case, since most of the divided containers 220A to 220E have a shaft target structure in this embodiment, the cast member which is the initial material and the container after machining have physical properties such as mechanical strength and thermal characteristics. This is advantageous because the position dependency of the value is small.

  The sealing members 230 </ b> A to 230 </ b> D are for sealing so that the cooling water and insulating oil filled in the container 220 do not leak out of the container 220. As the sealing members 230A to 230D, an elastic material, for example, a rubber ring or a metal ring is used. The sealing members 230A to 230D are sandwiched between the divided containers 220A to 220E and are properly crushed, thereby closely contacting the divided containers 220A to 220E without any gaps. Sealing members 230A to 230D are in close contact with the divided containers 220A to 220E without any gaps, so that cooling water or insulating oil is sealed in the container 220. In the present embodiment, since the connecting portions between the divided containers 220 are all circular, any of the sealing members 230A to 230D can be ring-shaped. If the sealing members 230A to 230D have a ring shape, the pressure generated by expansion of the cooling water and insulating oil is uniform regardless of the position in the circumferential direction of the sealing members 230A to 230D. Avoid leaking parts.

  FIG. 5 shows a modification of the cathode side container 220A of the first embodiment. In the modification shown in FIG. 5, a shielding member 240 is arranged on the inner surface of the cathode side container 220A. The shielding member 240 is for shielding X-rays radiated from the X-ray tube 210, and is made of a material having a high X-ray absorption rate such as lead. Since a gap is formed at a location where the divided containers 220 are connected, X-rays are likely to leak. Therefore, in the present modification, the height of the shielding member 240 is made higher than that of the cathode side container 220A so that the portion where the container 220 into which the shielding member 240 is divided can be covered. That is, the shielding member 240 protrudes from the flange portion 220A2 of the cathode side container 220A.

  FIG. 5 shows an example in which the shielding member 240 is disposed on the inner surface of the cathode side container 220A, but not limited to the cathode side container 220A, the cathode side disk 220B, the central container 220C, the anode side disk 220D, A shielding member 240 may be provided on the inner surface of the anode side container 220E. However, the shielding member 240 is not provided at a position facing the radiation window 218. Since the divided containers 220A to 220E have a cylindrical shape having a circumferential inner surface, it is easy to arrange the shielding member 240 uniformly, and it is possible to avoid the occurrence of a portion where X-rays are likely to leak. Furthermore, the arrangement of the shielding member 240 does not require a long time.

  FIG. 6 is a view for explaining a process of housing the X-ray tube 210 in the container 220 of the first embodiment. The storing process will be described below based on FIG.

  (1) The central container 220C is placed on the X-ray tube 210 to which the exciting coil 214B is attached, and the X-ray tube 210 is fixed via a support portion provided on the inner surface of the central container 220C.

  (2) The cathode side disk 220B is connected to the central container 220C. A sealing member 230B is disposed between the central container 220C and the cathode side disk 220B.

  (3) The cathode side container 220A is connected to the cathode side disc 220B. A sealing member 230A is disposed between the cathode side disc 220B and the cathode side container 220A.

  (4) The X-ray tube 210 to which the cathode side vessel 220A, the cathode side disc 220B, and the central vessel 220C are attached is turned upside down. The X-ray tube 210 alone is lighter on the cathode side than the anode side, but the cathode side vessel 220A, cathode side disc 220B, and central vessel 220C are attached, so that the weight in the direction of the tube axis 219 can be balanced. Therefore, it can be easily reversed upside down.

  (5) The anode side disk 220D is connected to the central container 220C. A sealing member 230C is disposed between the central container 220C and the anode side disk 220D.

  (6) The anode side container 220E is connected to the anode side disk 220D. A sealing member 230D is disposed between the anode side disc 220D and the anode side container 220E.

  According to the storage process described above, even a large X-ray tube of several tens of kg can be easily stored in a container. In addition, the process of (1)-(6) is only an example, and is not limited to said order. Depending on the size of each part, the order of the processes may be changed to facilitate the storing process. In the present embodiment, the support portion for fixing the X-ray tube 210 is provided in the central container 220C, but the present invention is not limited to this. If the X-ray tube 210 can be appropriately fixed, a support portion may be provided on the inner surface of any of the divided containers 220A to 220E.

  FIG. 7 shows a modification of the X-ray tube apparatus 101 of the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the X-ray tube apparatus 101 cut along a plane that is orthogonal to the tube axis 219 and includes the radiation window 218. In the modification shown in FIG. 7, the filling member 241 is disposed in the vicinity of the radiation window 218 between the central container 220C and the X-ray tube 210. Since the center of the central container 220C is eccentric to the radiation window 218 side with respect to the tube axis 219 of the X-ray tube 210, if the projection amount of the radiation window 218 is large, there is an extra space in the vicinity of the radiation window 218. Occurs. When this space is filled with cooling water or insulating oil, the weight of the X-ray tube apparatus 101 increases. Therefore, the weight of the X-ray tube apparatus 101 can be reduced by arranging the filling member 241 made of a material having a specific gravity smaller than that of the cooling water or the insulating oil, for example, an epoxy resin, as shown in FIG.

(Second embodiment)
FIG. 8 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the X-ray tube apparatus 101 of the second embodiment. The difference from the first embodiment is that the cathode side disk 220B, the central container 220C, and the anode side disk 220D are not provided, and the cathode side container 220F is larger than the cathode side container 220A and includes the connection member 250. Is a point. Each configuration will be described below. In addition, about the same structure as 1st embodiment, it is the same code | symbol and abbreviate | omits description.

  Similarly to the cathode side container 220A, the cathode side container 220F is a cylinder having a circular bottom surface part and an annular flange part, that is, a hat shape. The inner diameter of the cathode side container 220F is a size that can cover the width of the X-ray tube 210 including the protruding radiation window 218, like the central container 220C. For this reason, the center of the cathode side container 220F is positioned eccentric to the radiation window 218 side with respect to the tube axis 219 of the X-ray tube 210. A material having a small atomic number, such as beryllium having a high X-ray transmittance, is disposed at a location where the radiation window 218 of the cathode side container 220F is opposed to the X-ray radiation. A screw hole used for connection to the connection member 250 is provided in the flange portion of the cathode side container 220F. The cathode side container 220F may be provided with a groove in which the sealing member 230C is disposed.

  The connection member 250 is fixed to the X-ray tube 210, and the cathode side container 220F and the anode side container 220E are connected to each other. The connecting member 250 is circular and has the same outer diameter as the outer diameter of the flange portion of the cathode side container 220F. The connection member 250 is provided with an opening. The opening of the connecting member 250 has a size that allows the envelope 213A on the anode side of the X-ray tube 210 to pass therethrough or a size that allows the exciting coil 214B to pass. The connection member 250 is fixed to the X-ray tube 210 and forms a part of the outer surface of the X-ray tube apparatus 101. Therefore, in order to prevent tube current from flowing through the connection member 250 from the viewpoint of safety, the connection member 250 250 is preferably made of an insulator. The connection member 250 is provided with a screw hole used for connection with the cathode side container 220F and the anode side container 220E. The connecting member 250 may be provided with a groove in which the sealing members 230B and 230C are disposed.

The anode side container 220E is the same as that of the first embodiment.
In the present embodiment, the number of parts of the container 220 is reduced as compared with the first embodiment, and accordingly, the storing process is also reduced in the number of steps, so that the X-ray tube apparatus can be manufactured more easily.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 9 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the X-ray tube apparatus 101 of the third embodiment. The difference from the first embodiment is the size of the cathode side container 220AA and the shape of the cathode side disk 220BB. In the first embodiment, there is a large space on the tube axis 219 side of the cathode-side envelope 213C between the X-ray tube 210 and the cathode-side container 220A. If this space is unnecessary when the X-ray tube 210 is cooled and electrically insulated, the weight of the X-ray tube device 101 increases when this space is filled with cooling water or insulating oil. Therefore, in this embodiment, by reducing the size of the cathode side container, the space on the tube shaft 219 side of the cathode side envelope 213C is narrowed, and the cooling water or insulating oil filled in the container 220 is reduced. Reduce the amount to reduce the weight of the X-ray tube device 101.

  FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of the container 220 of the third embodiment cut in parallel with the tube axis 219 of the X-ray tube. Each configuration will be described below. In addition, about the same structure as 1st embodiment, it is the same code | symbol and abbreviate | omits description.

  The cathode side container 220AA is a cylinder having a circular bottom surface part and an annular flange part, that is, a hat shape, like the cathode side container 220A. The inner diameter of the cathode side container 220AA is smaller than the inner diameter of the cathode side container 220A, and can cover the cathode side envelope 213C, and provides electrical insulation between the X-ray tube 210 and the cathode side container 220AA. It is a size that can be kept. The flange portion is a connection portion with the cathode side disk 220BB, and includes a plurality of through holes arranged at a predetermined interval. The flange portion may be provided with a groove in which the sealing member 230AA is disposed. The size of the sealing member 230AA is a size that fits the flange portion of the cathode side container 220AA and is smaller than the sealing member 230A.

  The cathode-side disc 220BB is a disc having a circular opening, like the cathode-side disc 220B. Since the cathode-side envelope 213C that is allowed to pass through the opening of the cathode-side disc 220BB is in an eccentric position with respect to the tube axis 219 of the X-ray tube 210, the opening of the cathode-side disc 220BB is also connected to the tube axis. 219 is provided at an eccentric position. The opening of the cathode side disc 220BB has the same size as the inner diameter of the cathode side container 220AA. The cathode side disc 220BB is provided with a screw hole used for connection with the cathode side vessel 220AA at a position corresponding to the through hole provided in the flange portion of the cathode side vessel 220AA. The cathode side disk 220BB is provided with a plurality of through holes used for connection with the central container 220C at a predetermined interval. The cathode side disk 220BB may be provided with a groove in which the sealing member 230A and the sealing member 230B are disposed.

  The central container 220C, the anode side disk 220D, the anode side container 220E, and the sealing members 230B to 230D are the same as in the first embodiment.

  In this embodiment, compared to the first embodiment, the amount of cooling water or insulating oil filled in the container 220 can be reduced, which is advantageous in reducing the weight of the X-ray tube apparatus.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the use of the screw 221 has been described as means for connecting the divided containers 220A to 220E. However, the connection means is not limited to this, and other means such as a clamp may be used as long as the connection can be made with appropriate strength. It doesn't matter. Further, one of the divided containers may be formed in a shape in which the cathode side disk 220B or the anode side disk 220D and the central container 220C are combined.

  Moreover, you may implement combining the some component disclosed by embodiment suitably. For example, in order to reduce the weight of the X-ray tube device, the filling member 241 has been described in the vicinity of the radiation window 218 in the central container 220C. However, the filling member 241 is disposed inside the cathode side container 220A. Also good.

  1 X-ray CT device, 100 scan gantry unit, 101 X-ray tube device, 102 rotating disk, 103 collimator, 104 opening, 105 bed, 106 X-ray detector, 107 data collection device, 108 gantry control device, 109 bed control Equipment, 110 X-ray control device, 120 console, 121 input device, 122 image calculation device, 123 storage device, 124 system control device, 125 display device, 210 X-ray tube, 211 cathode, 212 anode, 213 vacuum envelope 213A anode side envelope, 213C cathode side envelope, 214 rotator, 214A rotor, 214B excitation coil, 215 electron beam, 216 focus, 217 X-ray, 218 radiation window, 219 tube axis, 220 container, 220A, 220AA Cathode side vessel, 220A1 bottom, 220A2 flange, 220A3 through hole, 220B, 220BB Cathode side disc, 220B1 opening, 220B2 screw hole, 220B3 through hole, 220C center vessel, 220C1 screw hole, 220D anode Side disc, 220D1 opening, 220E anode side container, 220E1 bottom , 220e2 flange, 220F cathode side vessel, 221 screw, 230A~D, 230AA sealing member, 240 shielding member 241 filling member, 250 connecting member, 301 pipe, 302 cooler

Claims (10)

An X-ray tube device comprising an X-ray tube for generating X-rays and a container for storing the X-ray tube,
The container is composed of a plurality of divided containers divided perpendicular to the tube axis direction of the X-ray tube, and the divided container has a cylindrical shape having a circumferential inner surface ,
An X-ray tube apparatus comprising a filling member having a specific gravity smaller than that of a cooling medium filled in the container . In the X-ray tube device according to claim 1,
An X-ray tube apparatus characterized in that a part of the divided container is a hat-shaped container in which a circular plate-shaped bottom surface portion and an annular flange portion are provided on a cylinder. In the X-ray tube device according to claim 2,
The X-ray tube has a cathode, an anode, and an envelope that holds the cathode and the anode in a vacuum atmosphere,
The X-ray tube apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the hat-shaped container is a cathode side container that covers a cathode side of the envelope and an anode side container that covers an anode side of the envelope. In the X-ray tube device according to claim 3,
The X-ray tube apparatus, wherein the cathode side container and the anode side container have the same size. In the X-ray tube device according to claim 3,
A connecting member having an outer diameter larger than the maximum outer diameter of the X-ray tube is fixed to the X-ray tube,
The X-ray tube apparatus, wherein the cathode side container and the anode side container are connected to the connecting member. In the X-ray tube device according to claim 1,
An X-ray tube device, wherein a part of the divided container is arranged at a position eccentric with respect to a tube axis of the X-ray tube. In the X-ray tube device according to claim 1,
An X-ray tube apparatus, wherein a ring-shaped sealing member is disposed at a connecting portion between the divided containers. In the X-ray tube device according to claim 1,
An X-ray tube apparatus, wherein the filling member is disposed between the container and the X-ray tube and in the vicinity of a radiation window for emitting the X-rays. In the X-ray tube device according to claim 1,
An X-ray tube device, wherein a shielding member for shielding X-rays is disposed inside a part of the container. Equipped with an X-ray source that irradiates the subject with X-rays, an X-ray detector that is disposed opposite to the X-ray source and detects X-rays transmitted through the subject, and the X-ray source and the X-ray detector A rotating disk that rotates around the subject, an image reconstruction device that reconstructs a tomographic image of the subject based on a transmitted X-ray amount detected by the X-ray detector, and a reconstruction performed by the image reconstruction device An X-ray CT apparatus provided with an image display device for displaying a tomographic image,
2. The X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the X-ray source is the X-ray tube apparatus according to claim 1.

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