Abstract: An X-ray source includes a thin film X-ray target for generating and focusing X-rays in response to the application of electron beams, and a capillary tubular element for allowing the X-rays to pass. The capillary tubular element has such a diameter the beams of the X-rays impinging on the inner surfaces of the capillary tubular element are totally reflected. Additionally, a thin film is provided for adsorbing the electron beams, but allowing the X-rays to penetrate.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for the cooling of an X-ray tube contained in a casing, using a fluid put into forced circulation in a cooling circuit comprising a heat exchanger. The device of the invention can be used to obtain efficient cooling while, at the same time, using a small volume of fluid and a heat exchanger of smaller size than in the prior art. To this end, the cooling circuit comprises means to, firstly, store a quantity of heat accumulated by the fluid when the latter reaches a pre-determined temperature during an examination period and, secondly, to restore this quantity of heat during an idle period which follows the examination period.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mobile X-ray examination unit including a C-bend which carries an X-radiator and a radiation receiver at its ends. The C-bend is displaceably seated on a carriage and hinged to the carriage, whereby the two articulation axes proceed parallel to one another. The arm has a fixed length, whereby this fixed length is dimensioned such and the arm is hinged to the carriage at such a location that the arm is pivotable, first, into a roughly vertical position and, second, into a roughly horizontal position and the C-bend is simultaneously pivotable into such a respective position that the X-radiator and the radiation receiver lie on a straight line proceeding about parallel to the arm.

Abstract: The present invention provides a CAT (computerized axial tomography) scanner in which x-ray detector output currents are utilized efficiently and can be measured correctly, and which reconstructs an image of an object (11) under scrutiny without being materially affected by variations in the intensity of x-rays. The scanner has an x-ray tube (1) for continuously producing x-rays, which are directed toward an array (2) of x-ray detectors through the object (11). Capacitors (3.sub.1 -3.sub.502) are charged by the output currents from the x-ray detectors (2.sub.1 -2.sub.502) of the array. A control circuit controls first switches (4.sub.1 -4.sub.502) and a second switch (6) in such a way that each capacitor initiates a cyclic process immediately after the previous capacitor is fully discharged. The cyclic process consists of a measurement, a resetting, and a charging.

Abstract: An isocentric examination stand for radio-logical examinations of a patient comprising a cradle in the form of an arc of a circle which is circularly displaceable, a cradle support, an X-ray source and a radiation detector, the cradle being composed of mechanically assembled elements forming a structure defining the geometry of the cradle. The structure permits the passage of a supply cable of the source and of the detector into the cradle support.

Abstract: An x-radiator has a housing in which an x-ray tube is disposed surrounded by an electrically insulating coolant and having a circulation system for the coolant. The housing is substantially filled with the coolant, and a heat exchanger is disposed outside of the housing through which the coolant is pumped. *) The direction of flow of the coolant is automatically reversible dependent on the three-dimensional position of the x-radiator. *) For aiding in dissipating heat from said coolant a cooling fluid is circulated through the heat exchanger isolated from the coolant.

Abstract: A substrate transparent to x-rays mounts a resilient layer transparent to x-rays, and an overlying thin blocker layer of fracturable lead or tin foil which is opaque to x-rays. When impressed or typewritten the blocker layer is selectively stenciled or fractured to permit selective passage of x-rays therethrough. The substrate or a perforated portion thereof mounting the stencil, is emplaced upon an x-ray cassette during x-ray exposure to capture the stencilized data in the permanent film image. Visual inspection of stencilized data may be aided by a white paint layer disposed upon the blocker layer. Affixation to the film or cassette may be aided by a pressure sensitive adhesive layer in an area adjacent the other superimposed layers.

Abstract: An x-ray tube having an improved focusing arrangement is provided. The x-ray tube includes an evacuated envelope and an anode disposed within the envelope. A positive electrical potential, with respect to ground, is applied to the anode. A filamentary cathode emits an electron beam toward the anode. A first negative electrical potential, with respect to ground, is coupled to the filament and to an electrically conductive cathode body, which focuses the electron beam onto the anode at a focal spot, the focal spot having a length, corresponding to the length of the filament, and a width. The cathode body has an opening disposed therein and supports the filament in such opening. An electrode is insulatingly disposed in the opening of the body and applied with a negative electrical potential with respect to the first negative potential.

Abstract: A bright, relatively inexpensive X-ray source (as compared to a synchrotron emitter) for scientific, technological, and medical purposes. A stack of foils of high density and moderate atomic number are bombarded with high-energy electrons of 25 to 500 MeV to produce a flux of transition X-rays of 2 keV or greater.

Abstract: In medical X-ray apparatus including a stand mounting an X-ray tube and two X-ray receptors such as an image intensifier and a film exchanger, the two X-ray receptors are mounted on a common frame pivoted to present either receptor at the image plane of the X-ray tube. Additionally the two receptors slide on the frame and are linked by a bell crank for coordinated rotation and sliding movement which restores their common center of gravity to its initial locus as one receptor is interchanged for the other. Balance of the receptors with the X-ray tube on the frame is thereby maintained.

Abstract: An X-ray image detecting apparatus devised so as to project an X-ray image of an object on a image receiving plane made of two-dimensionally arrayed picture elements with the object irradiated by many thin scanning X-ray beams. The beams, which penetrate the object, scan coincidentally a limited number of the picture elements of which they take a charge respectively, causing the time of scanning the whole area of the image receiving plane to be short. The image signals successively outputted from the picture elements are stored in a memory with only their respective maximum values selected. Thus, the image signals are made free from being adversely affected by the stray X-rays scattered from the inside of the object, and provide a high-contrast X-ray image.

Abstract: A baggage inspection system has a conveying path for moving articles to be inspected through an x-ray beam. The conveyor path is disposed between an x-ray source for generating the beam and a radiation detector. The radiation detector consists of a number of individual detectors, with the number of individual detectors per unit length being greater in a first region of the detector than in a second region thereof. The first region is disposed at the level of the conveying path for optimally displaying smaller articles transported by the conveyor path, while the second region is suited for display of larger articles.

Abstract: An x-ray scanner generates a fan-shaped x-ray beam through which an object to be inspected is moved and a detector line which generates signals corresponding to the radiation attenuated by the object. The processing electronics includes a comparator for recognizing faulty detector signals by means of which the roll-in of data ito the image memory is controllable such that, given a faulty detector signal, the transfer of the information into a memory line allocated to the detector is inhibited. The x-ray scanner also includes an allocator unit which omits predetermined detector channels for the purpose of geometric balancing. Given outage of a detector, its detector channel is omitted by the allocator unit, based on a signal from the comparator, instead of a prescribed detector channel.

Abstract: An X-ray apparatus is disclosed comprising an angularly adjustable parallelogram formed by two members parallel to a central axis and two members transverse the central axis. A radiation source and a radiation receptor are positioned at one end of the respective parallel members. The apparatus is characterized in that the two transverse members are disposed on opposite sides of the central axis, and one end of both parallel members is offset to the same side of the central axis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing an X-ray exposure by means of a photoconductor. Photoconductor defect locations which appear as artefacts in the X-ray image are eliminated by subtracting a compensated dark discharge image from the X-ray image.

Abstract: An alignment device for use in mobile radiography. In contrast to prior practice in which a film cassette is placed on one side of the patient, an x-ray source on the other, and it is left to the skill of the technician to approximate the necessary alignment, the present invention assures consistent alignment much more precise than is typically achieved. The precise alignment allows regular use of a grid in mobile radiography which helps to prevent image deterioration caused by scattered radiation. The precise alignment is achieved by providing an adaptable physical connection which when in the deployed condition, accurately establishes both the distance between the focal spot and the film plane and the alignment of the grid with respect to the central ray.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for examining a body by means of gamma rays or X-rays, in which a body to be examined is irradiated by a plurality of primary beams having a comparatively small cross-section. The scattered radiation produced is intercepted by detector devices, at least one of which is associated each time with a respective primary beam, and the detector device and an associated slit which images the primary beam on the detector device is arranged so that the detector device is struck essentially only by scattered radiation from this one primary beam. Preferably, the detectors are arranged between the body to be examined and the radiation source, so that they can intercept only the back-scattered radiation.

Abstract: Disclosed is an inverter type X-ray apparatus comprising a DC-DC converter for converting a DC voltage into a different DC voltage, an inverter for inverting an output voltage of the DC-DC converter into an AC voltage, a high voltage transformer for transforming an output voltage of the inverter into a higher voltage, a rectifier for converting an AC output voltage of the transformer into a DC voltage, and an X-ray tube to which an output voltage of the rectifier is applied. In the apparatus, the DC-DC converter includes a reactor, a switching element and a capacitor which are interconnected so that the DC-DC converter can generate an output voltage higher or lower than an input voltage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for performing in-bath filming during extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. The device has a holder for slidably receiving a film cassette and a grid therein. The holder has means for slidably mounting the holder on the image intensifier portion of an x-ray fluoroscope so that forces on the front of the holder can be transferred to pressure sensing means on the intensifier. The holder is constructed in a water-tight manner so that the film contained in the holder may be delivered beneath the level of water in the bath adjacent the abdomen of the patient in the bath. An inflatable bladder is provided on the outside of the holder to displace water from the area between the holder and the abdomen to prevent absorption and scattering of the x-rays by water in the area between the holder and the patient's abdomen.

Abstract: A high voltage generating apparatus for an X-ray tube comprises an inverter for converting a DC voltage into an AC voltage, a high voltage transformer for boosting an output voltage of the inverter, a rectifier for converting an output voltage of the transformer into a DC voltage, and a detector for detecting an X-ray tube voltage to produce an output signal corresponding to the X-ray tube voltage. The output signal of the detector is sampled and held by a sample/hold circuit in synchronism with an operating period of the inverter so that the X-ray tube voltage is controlled in accordance with an error between an output signal of the sample/hold circuit and an X-ray tube voltage set level.