Abstract: At least one power supply produces a voltage between a cathode and an anode. The cathode and anode are operable such that electrons emitted from the cathode interact with the anode with energies corresponding to the voltage. The electrons interact with the anode at a focal spot to generate X-rays. The power supply provides the cathode with a cathode current. An electron detector is positioned relative to the anode, and a backscatter electron signal is measured from the anode. The measured backscatter electron signal is provided to a processing unit, which determines a cathode current correction and/or a correction to the voltage between the cathode and the anode using the measured backscatter electron signal and a correlation between anode surface roughness and backscatter electron emission.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mobile X-ray device, comprising: a housing with an X-ray source arranged therein, a sensor system comprising one or more sensors for aligning the X-ray source to an object to be scanned and/or detecting at least one extrinsic object in a predefined area in a vicinity of the X-ray beam of the X-ray source; a processor unit comprising determining the alignment of the X-ray source and the object to be scanned based on signals received from the sensor system; image acquisition for generating an X-ray image; activating a blockage signal for the mobile X-ray device based on signals received from the sensor system; and an interface for outputting the generated X-ray image and/or information; wherein image acquisition is blocked, if the sensor system signals one of the following: at least one extrinsic object is detected within the predefined area; lack of alignment between the X-ray source and the object to be scanned.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging system (10) for medical imaging is provided. The imaging system (10) comprises an X-ray source (12) for emitting X-rays, an X-ray detector (14) for detecting X-rays, at least one unmanned aircraft (16), and at least one controller (18) for controlling at least one of the X-ray source (12), the X-ray detector (14), and the at least one unmanned aircraft (16). The X-ray source (12) or the X-ray detector (14) is arranged on the at least one unmanned aircraft (16), wherein the X-ray imaging system (10) is configured to capture an X-ray image of an object (15) arranged between the X-ray source (12) and the X-ray detector (14).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus (10) for generating X-rays. It is described to produce (210) with at least one power supply (40) a voltage between a cathode (20) and an anode (30). The cathode is positioned relative to the anode, and the cathode and anode are operable such that electrons emitted from the cathode interact with the anode with energies corresponding to the voltage, and wherein the electrons interact with the anode at a focal spot to generate X-rays. The at least one power supply provides (220) the cathode with a cathode current. An electron detector (50) is positioned (230) relative to the anode, and a backscatter electron signal is measured (240) from the anode. The measured backscatter electron signal is provided (250) to a processing unit (60).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mobile X-ray device, comprising: a housing with an X-ray source arranged therein, a sensor system comprising one or more sensors for aligning the X-ray source to an object to be scanned and/or detecting at least one extrinsic object in a predefined area in a vicinity of the X-ray beam of the X-ray source; a processor unit comprising determining the alignment of the X-ray source and the object to be scanned based on signals received from the sensor system; image acquisition for generating an X-ray image; activating a blockage signal for the mobile X-ray device based on signals received from the sensor system; and an interface for outputting the generated X-ray image and/or information; wherein image acquisition is blocked, if the sensor system signals one of the following: at least one extrinsic object is detected within the predefined area; lack of alignment between the X-ray source and the object to be scanned.

Abstract: In modern health systems, and particularly in those in developing countries, primary care-givers located remotely from diagnosticians are increasingly turning to the possibilities afforded by social media and improved communication techniques. In particular, medical information may be obtained from a patient of the primary care-giver, and transmitted (for example, by email) to a diagnostician. However, the primary care giver has no way to know that the diagnostician has diagnostic information display equipment which could enable a secure diagnosis, for example. The present application discusses diagnosis authentication techniques. The primary care-giver's operator terminal (20) may challenge the diagnostic terminal (10) to certify and transmit receive various attributes useful for assuring a reasonable diagnosis.

Abstract: Medical devices and in particular mobile medical devices preferably comprise communication units enabling the operator of the medical device to exchange information with a remote medical expert. The present invention discloses a medical device facilitating improved support of its operator by a remote medical expert. Thereto, the medical device queries information regarding the experience level of the operator to assess the required support level. Moreover, the medical device queries information regarding the use case and the urgency level. Depending on this information, the medical device determines a data set that may need to be transmitted to a remote medical expert. In addition, the medical device determines a required transmission rate so that the remote medical expert can efficiently support the operator of the medical device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hydrodynamic bearings, X-ray tubes, X-ray systems, and a method of manufacturing a hydrodynamic bearing for an X-ray tube. The rotor of a hydrodynamic bearing is supported, in steady-state operation, by the pressure of lubricant which is pumped through grooves in the rotor. When the rotor is speeding up or slowing down, the pumping force will not be sufficient to lift the rotor clear of a stationary bushing, and damage, caused by direct contact of the metal surfaces of the bearing, can occur. Providing special coatings on the bearing surfaces can ameliorate this effect.

Abstract: A self-acting, sealed hydrodynamic bearing includes a bearing shaft; a bearing bushing arranged to seal a length of the bearing shaft; a lubricant provided in the sealed length of the hydrodynamic bearing; and a bearing arrangement between the shaft and bushing. The bearing shaft and/or the bearing bushing are configured to be rotatable. The bearing arrangement includes a primary bearing surface disposed on the bearing bushing, arranged to face a secondary bearing surface disposed on the bearing shaft. The primary and/or secondary bearing surfaces includes first regions having a first fluid slip characteristic, and second regions having a second fluid slip characteristic substantially different to that of the first fluid slip characteristic. The second and first regions are in a same plane of a cross-section of the primary and/or secondary bearing surfaces, and are disposed in an interleaved pattern over the primary and/or secondary bearing surfaces.

Abstract: Hydrodynamic bearings exploit the properties of pumping action in a fluid to support a bearing load. Conventionally, the pumping action is provided by grooved surfaces in a bearing surface of the bearing. The provision of grooves leads to functional and practical problems, though. The action of grooves on a lubrication material leads inevitably to shear stress being exerted in the fluid. This has a detrimental effect on the load performance of a hydrodynamic bearing. In practical terms, the accurate manufacture of grooves is onerous. This application discusses a way of producing a hydrodynamic bearing using a portion of a bearing surface with an interleaved pattern of materials, wherein the materials have alternate high and low (or zero) fluid slip characteristics. The varying fluid slip characteristic of the surface induces a pumping effect analogous to that provided by a grooved surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hydrodynamic bearings, X-ray tubes, X-ray systems, and a method of manufacturing a hydrodynamic bearing for an X-ray tube. The rotor of a hydrodynamic bearing is supported, in steady-state operation, by the pressure of lubricant which is pumped through grooves in the rotor. When the rotor is speeding up or slowing down, the pumping force will not be sufficient to lift the rotor clear of a stationary bushing, and damage, caused by direct contact of the metal surfaces of the bearing, can occur. Providing special coatings on the bearing surfaces can ameliorate this effect.

Abstract: An X-ray tube, a medical X-ray device comprising such X-raytube and a method for operating such X-ray tube are proposed. The X-ray tube (1) comprises an electron emitter (3) with a substrate (4) having an electron emission surface (5). The electron emission surface (5) is adapted for field emission of electrons therefrom by providing a substantial roughness Such roughness may be obtained by applying carbon nano-tubes (19) onto the electron emission surface (5). A field generator (7) is provided for generating an electrical field adjacent to the electron emission surface (5) for inducing field emission of electrons therefrom. Furthermore, a heater arrangement (15) is provided and adapted for heating the electron emission surface (5) contemporaneous with the field emission of electrons. Accordingly, while electrons are emitted from the electron emission surface (5) due to a field effect, this electron emission surface (5) may also be heated to substantial temperatures of between 100 and 1000° C.