Abstract: A tube for generating x-rays includes a cathode adapted to emit electrons, a target positioned to receive the electrons from the cathode on a surface thereof, an anode adapted with an aperture and positioned between the cathode and the target and configured to accelerate the electrons toward the target, and a rotating system adapted to rotate the target about an axis, the rotating system located in a position facing the surface of the target.

Abstract: A CT user interface includes first and second displays that selectively display distinct display zones thereon. The first display includes a zone enabling the operator to create a record for each of a plurality of patients and an exam set-up and a protocol selection zone enabling the operator to select a scan protocol for performing a CT scan on a selected patient. A task list zone on the first display displays all steps and sub-steps of a CT scan for a selected patient based on the selected scan protocol, and a settings zone and a scanning zone on the first display displays and enables operator selection of a plurality of scan parameters related to the selected scan protocol. Any general user interface elements not needed for the selected scan protocol are not displayed on the first and second displays, so as to simplify the user interface for the operator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to X-ray tube technology in general. Most of the energy applied to the focal spot via electron bombardment is converted to heat; the generation of electromagnetic radiation may be considered to be quite inefficient. One of the central limitations of X-ray tubes is the cooling, thus the dissipation of heat, of the anode element, in particular the focal track. Consequently, an anode disk element that may sustain increased heat while still maintaining structural integrity and furthermore that may provide improved dissipation of heat from the focal track is presented. According to the present invention, an anode disk element (1), comprising an anisotropic thermal conductivity, for the generation of X-rays is provided. The anode disk element (1) comprises a focal track (4) and at least one heat dissipating element (5). The anode disk element (1) is rotatable about a rotational axis (6) with the focal track (4) being rotationally symmetrical to the rotational axis (6).

Abstract: A method for registering 2-D radiographic images to 3-D volume studies includes generating digitally reconstructed radiographs (DRRs) from a 3-D volume study. The DRR's are used as reference images to register a patient's position during image-guided radiosurgery. Stereoscopic X-rays of the patient are acquired during treatment, and multi-phase registration is used to register the DRRs with the X-ray images in two or more projections.

Abstract: A composite target for generating x-rays includes a target substrate and at least one material applied to the target substrate with a laser beam.

Abstract: A method and system is presented for tracking patient motion in image guided surgery, using skeletal reference structures instead of fiducial markers.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a two-dimensional detector having a plurality of cells wherein each cell is configured to detect energy or signal passing through an object. The imaging system includes a computer programmed to acquire imaging data for the plurality of cells, identify a cell to be corrected, based on the imaging data, interpolate Ix and Iy for the identified cell based on neighbor cells, and calculate local gradients gx and gy between the identified cell and its neighbor cells based on the interpolation. The computer is further programmed to calculate weighting factors wx and wy based on the local gradients, calculate a corrected final value I(0,0) for the identified cell, and correct the identified cell with the corrected final value.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for generating X-rays (41). The device comprises a source (5) for generating an electron beam (35), and a carrier (7) which is rotatable about an axis of rotation (15) and which is provided with a material (9) which generates the X-rays as a result of the incidence of the electron beam thereon. The device further comprises a heat absorbing member (45) which is arranged between the source and the carrier to catch electrons, which are scattered back from an impingement position (39) of the electron beam on the carrier, and to absorb a portion of the radiant heat generated by the carrier when heated during operation. The heat absorbing member is in thermal connection with a cooling system (51) of the device.

Abstract: An x-ray tube target assembly 16 is provided. The assembly 16 includes a target disc element 18 having a target bore 22. A target shaft 20 transmits rotational drive to the target disc element 18. The target shaft 20 includes a plurality of axial adjustment slots 30 formed in an upper portion. The plurality of axial adjustment slots 30 are positioned around the target shaft 20 to form a plurality of partial circumferential ribs 36. The plurality of partial circumferential ribs 36 are brazed to the target bore 22.

Abstract: A method for assembling a rotating X-ray tube, the X-ray tube having a cathode for emitting electrons, and a rotor and a bearing assembly for facilitating rotation of an anode. The method includes using an interference fit assembly between the bearing assembly and the rotor to provide a joint having balance retention. The using interference fit assembly further includes selecting a rotor hub of the rotor having a coefficient of thermal expansion which results in a composite coefficient of thermal expansion for the rotor assembly which closely matches that of a shaft of the bearing assembly. An interference fit joint between a shaft extending from a bearing assembly and a rotor hub is also disclosed, wherein the joint is completed without using any mechanical fasteners or metallurgical bonding, yet can carry all of the operational loads placed on the joint.

Abstract: An x-ray tube (1) includes a heat shield (130) which intercepts heat radiating from an anode (10), thereby reducing the temperature of a bearing assembly (62). The heat shield includes outer and inner concentric cylinders (132, 134) spaced from each other by a vacuum gap (138). The heat shield and a stationary portion (114) of the bearing assembly are both connected to a cold plate (150) so that heat is not conducted from the cylinders to the bearing assembly but is instead carried away by the cold plate to the surrounding cooling oil.

Abstract: A high energy x-ray tube includes an evacuated chamber (12) containing a rotor (34) which rotates an anode (10) in the path of a stream of electrons (A) to generate an x-rays (B) and heat. The rotor includes a bearing shaft (54, 80, 122) connected to the anode by a thermally conductive structure (40). The bearing shaft carries soft metal-lubricated bearing balls (44F, 44R) in forward and rear bearing races (64, 66, 106, 108, 128, 130). An annular groove (70, 94, 132) is defined longitudinally in the shaft which, particularly when evacuated, provides a thermal barrier between the forward race and the portion of the shaft that is thermally connected with the anode. The groove lengthens the path heat entering the bearing shaft travels in order to reach the forward bearing race. As a result, the temperature of the forward race, and hence the evaporation of lubricant during operation of the x-ray tube, is reduced.

Abstract: The present invention is a fiber optic cable which uses pressure sensitive films or tactile films in order to detect areas on a fiber optic cable where excessive loads have been applied or experienced. In the present invention, a plurality of strips of tactile film or pressure sensitive film are inserted, at regular intervals, throughout the fiber optic cable structure in a fashion similar to that of swellable tape. The tactile film or pressure sensitive film used can be any color-changing stress sensor which is formed in the shape of a flat strip. The present invention uses strips of tactile or pressure sensitive film of different widths which are inserted periodically throughout the cable, both circumferentially and along the length of the cable. The films are located between the buffer tube(s) and the outer jacket of the cable or between the fibers and the outer jacket of the cable. This intermittent use decreases the overall cost and weight of the cable, over using a continuous length of tactile film.

Abstract: An x-ray tube includes an envelope defining an evacuated chamber in which an anode assembly is rotatably mounted to a bearing assembly and interacts with a cathode assembly for production of x-rays. The x-ray tube further includes a heat shield disposed in the envelope. The heat shield serves to reduce heat radiating from the anode assembly which is transferred to the bearing assembly or otherwise serves to insulate the bearing assembly from such radiated heat. The heat shield is brazed or otherwise bonded to the anode assembly and is comprised of a material having a low emissivity so that a minimum amount of heat radiates through the heat shield.

Abstract: A graphite-backed metallic x-ray tube target assembly has a rotary shaft which passes through the central opening of the annular graphite substrate and is secured to the metallic disk-shaped target. In order to protect the shaft from heat radiated from the graphite substrate, at least one tubular heat shield is brazed to the target and disposed between and separate from the inner wall of the annular graphite substrate and the outer peripheral surface of the shaft. For further protection, a tubular heat shielding member may be disposed inside the other heat shield, between the outer heat shield and the shaft. In order to minimize the heat conduction from the outer heat shield to the inner heat shielding member, they are mostly separated and attached to each other only along their bottom edges where they are tack-welded together at mutually separated positions such that the inner heat shielding member is supported entirely by the outer heat shield.

Abstract: An X-ray tube includes a housing containing an anode target having a target shaft supported in the housing by a bearing. The target is rotated, and a cathode emits an electron beam against the target to create X-rays which are discharged from the tube through a window therein. The target shaft is integral with the target and extends axially therefrom for conducting heat away from the target and to the shaft without joint heat resistance. The bearing includes a rotor hub to which the target shaft is removably joined and is configured for improving heat conduction to a stator of the bearing for preferentially limiting the temperature thereof.

Abstract: An improved high performance x-ray system having a rotating anode therein which includes an improved coating for the x-ray tube rotor. The surface of the x-ray tube rotor is coated with a ductile, metal coating, preferably iron, having a thickness of about 0.2 to about 5.0 mils thick. The rotor coating has ductile properties with a strain to fail greater than 0.05% and thermal expansion properties which when placed on an x-ray tube rotor, provides at least about 40,000 x-ray scan-seconds prior to tube failure due to rotor spalling.

Abstract: An improved high performance x-ray system having a rotating anode therein which includes an improved target/stem assembly comprising a metallic target and a large bore, thin-walled tubular metal stem which, when connected to a rotor body assembly, provides a rotating x-ray tube anode assembly is disclosed. An insert of an alloy, for example, tantalum alloy, is placed between the target layer and the large bore, thin-walled tubular stem and then bonded thereto to produce a composite x-ray tube target/stem assembly. The target/stem assembly is then connected to a rotor body assembly by fasteners, preferably threaded, applied through a plate connected to the tubular stem and preferably through a thermal washer to produce a rotating anode assembly having high bond strength that provides acceptable balance during x-ray tube operations.

Abstract: A mounting part for mounting an end of an axle on a projection of a housing, such as an axle in a vacuum-tight housing of a rotatable anode, is characterized by a sleeve section which can have radial play during assembly and engages a clamp arrangement to remove the radial play at the end of assembly of the section on either the end of the axle or the projection of the housing. The clamp arrangement is a bevel provided on the member being telescopically received in the section or on a ring which is telescopically received on the member being received in the section.

Abstract: A rotary-anode X-ray tube having a rotor, a stationary shaft, and a sliding bearing connecting the rotor and the stationary shaft, forming a gap filled with liquid metal lubricant. The rotor has a first rotary member supporting an anode target and a second rotary member at which a sliding bearing is installed and which is coaxial with the first rotary member. The first and the second rotary members are connected at that end of the heat conductive path which is remote from the anode target. A heat insulating gap is formed at all fitting portions, but the remote end. Therefore, the temperature rise of the sliding bearing is controlled without using refregerant, and stable rotation of the bearing is secured.

Abstract: An X-ray tube anode which is composed of a refractory metal having a focal track thereon with the refractory metal including tantalum, hafnium, zirconium and carbon in a minor amount and molybdenum in a major amount. The anode has improved high temperature properties and fabricability. It can be utilized alone or in combination with the usual graphite portion.

Abstract: A basic body for an anode disc is provided with laminations which are situated at a short distance from one another. Pyrolytic graphite is provided in the narrow intermediate spaces between the laminations by deposition of carbon from the gaseous state. Because of the small distances between laminations, these intermediate spaces are quickly filled with pyrolytic graphite.

Abstract: A method for the diffusion bonding of a graphite member to a metallic surface of molybdenum, molybdenum alloy, tungsten or tungsten alloy as part of a composite rotary anode for an X-ray tube is set forth. In the completed structure a crack-free compound laminate separating and joining the graphite member and the metallic surface comprises a layer of carbide of metal of the metallic surface bonded to a layer of platinum or platinum alloy.

Abstract: Methods for the diffusion bonding of a graphite member to a metallic surface as part of a composite rotary anode for an X-ray tube are set forth. The preferred joint for the composite is made by using a layer of palladium in combination with a layer of metal selected from the group consisting of platinum, osmium, rhodium, ruthenium and alloys thereof.

Abstract: A method for the diffusion bonding of a graphite member to a metallic surface as part of a composite rotary anode for an X-ray tube is set forth. In the completed structure a compound laminate separating and metallurgically bonded to the graphite member and to the metallic surface consists of, in sequence, a layer comprising carbide of vanadium and of a metal selected from the group consisting of molybdenum and tungsten, a layer of metal selected from the group consisting of vanadium and vanadium alloys, a zone of interdiffused metals comprising platinum and vanadium and then a continuous layer comprising platinum or platinum alloy.

Abstract: The invention relates to an anode disc for a rotary-anode X-ray tube which consists of a rotationally-symmetrical body of molybdenum and a corresponding body of graphite. The connection zone between the two bodies is smaller than the inner diameter of the focal path. Thanks to this construction the connection zone between the two bodies will not be thermally overloaded.

Abstract: An improved rotating anode x-ray tube having front and rear bearings supporting a tubular member attached to the rotating anode for rotation about a stationary stem member. The front bearing is modified by providing clearance between its retainer and the tubular member to reduce the amount of heat conducted through the bearing. The rear bearing is conventional, and thus has good electrical and thermal conductivity. As a result, heat conducted from the anode to the tubular member is preferentially directed to the stem member through the rear bearing, rather than through the front bearing. The front bearing, normally the hotter of the two, thus remains cooler, increasing its life substantially.