Siemens Aktiengesellschaft

Siemens Healthcare Gmbh

Siemens Healthineers Ag

Josef Deuringer

Jörg Freudenberger

Peter Schardt

Joerg Freudenberger

Markus Schild

Franz Dirauf

Peter Hackenschmied

Anja Fritzler

Lars Lauer

Peter Geithner

Richard Eichhorn

Ronald Dittrich

Christoph Jud

Jürgen Oelschlegel

Gerd Mörsberger

Jan Berk

Karsten Zeiske

Gerd Moersberger

Elmar Garcia

Paul Ponnath

Roland Rabe

Jens Uecker

Rolf Gurtner

Volker Dietz

Tobias Proell

Karsten Kruschat

One or more example embodiments relates to an X-ray source comprising a grid voltage unit including an interface configured to receive a control signal. The grid voltage unit is configured to regulate, via regulation of a first grid voltage at a first grid and via regulation of a second grid voltage at a second grid, a charge quantity available in a capacitor and a generator current as a function of the control signal.

X-ray source with a grid voltage unit

An X-ray tube has at least one grid electrode arranged between an anode electrode and a cathode electrode. Via a focusing unit, an electron flow from the cathode electrode to the anode electrode is focused in that the focusing unit supplies the grid electrode with a first electric grid potential. The focusing unit is supplied with electrical energy in an electrically isolated manner via an energy converter. The first electric grid potential is provided via an adjustable voltage divider, and the adjustable voltage divider is adjusted via a control circuit of the focusing unit in that the control circuit is supplied with an electrically isolated control signal of a control unit. The control signal depends on a value for the first electric grid potential.

Operating an X-ray tube

Some example embodiments provide an x-ray tube for a stereoscopic imaging having an evacuated x-ray tube housing; an electron emitter apparatus in the x-ray tube housing, the electron emitter apparatus including a first field effect emitter with a first emitter surface and a second field effect emitter with a second emitter surface, at least one of the first emitter surface or the second emitter surface being segmented such that a portion of the at least one of the first emitter surface or the second emitter surface can be set relative to the respective overall emitter surface by selectively switching emitter segments of the at least one of the first emitter surface or the second emitter surface; an anode unit in the x-ray tube housing, the anode unit configured to generate x-ray radiation for the stereoscopic imaging as a function of electrons striking two focal points; and a control unit.

X-ray tube for a stereoscopic imaging

A base module is for a mobile medical system, designed to cover distances autonomously or semi-autonomously. The base module includes a chassis having a plurality of rolling bodies. The rolling bodies are mounted to rotate about axes of rotation and, via adjusting devices, are adjustable in the vertical direction such that each respective rolling body is movable between a first position, in which the respective rolling body is in contact with a floor area, and a second position, in which the respective rolling body is spaced apart from the floor area. A medical system includes a base module of an embodiment. A method for operation of the medical system is also disclosed.

Base module, medical system and method for operation of the medical system

A method is for controlling an X-ray tube including at least one grid electrode arranged between an anode electrode and a cathode electrode. In an embodiment, the method includes focusing, via a focusing unit, a flow of electrons from the cathode electrode to the anode electrode; applying in a first switching state, a first electrical grid potential to the at least one grid electrode via a switching unit, to pinch off the flow of electrons between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode; and applying in a second switching state, a second electrical grid potential to the at least one grid electrode to enable the flow of electrons, at least the second electrical grid potential being provided by the focusing unit.

Controlling an x-ray tube

An X-ray tube of an embodiment includes an anode; and an electron emission device. In an embodiment, the electron emission device includes at least one electron emitter including at least one emission surface and at least one barrier grid, the at least one barrier grid being spaced apart from the at least one emission surface of the electron emitter and includes a definable number of individually controllable grid segments. According to an embodiment, at least one individually definable grid voltage is applicable to each of the grid segments. In a simple manner, an electron-emission device of an embodiment permits the image quality to be adjusted with minimal anode loading.

Electron-emission device

A transformer unit includes a primary side including a primary coil wound around a transformer core and a secondary side including a secondary coil wound around the core. During operation, a secondary-side actual voltage is established upon application of a primary voltage to the primary coil. The transformer unit includes a first measuring coil, wound around the transformer core, to determine a first measuring voltage; a measuring element, arranged and designed on the primary side to determine a second measuring voltage, the second measuring voltage being correlatable with the additional secondary-side voltage drop; and a controller to control operation of the transformer unit, the controller being designed to adjust the primary voltage so as to induce a secondary desired voltage in the secondary coil, and adjust the primary voltage as a function of the first measuring voltage and the second measuring voltage.

Transformer unit and method for operating a transformer unit

A rapidly regulable high-voltage supply for the electrical focusing of an electron beam using a high-voltage final stage is provided. The high-voltage final stage includes a plurality of amplification elements that are interconnected in a series configuration with a first high-voltage connection, and a potential dividing chain including a series of potential dividing elements. The potential dividing chain is interconnected with the first high-voltage connection and has a signal interconnection with the plurality of amplification elements, so that when a voltage is applied across the potential dividing chain, a difference in voltages between a signal input to any amplification element of the plurality of amplification elements and a signal input to a next amplification element of the plurality of amplification elements has a same sign.

Voltage supply for electrical focusing of electron beams

An x-ray apparatus includes an x-ray emitter having an x-ray tube, a rotary anode disposed in the x-ray tube, and a drive for the rotary anode. The drive includes a reluctance motor having a stator disposed outside the x-ray tube and a rotor disposed inside the x-ray tube. The rotor is mechanically connected to the rotary anode.

X-ray apparatus

An electron source has an electron emitter with an electron emission cathode, a high voltage unit provided for power supply of the electron emission cathode, and a low voltage unit provided to control the high voltage unit. Data are transmitted non-electrically (in particular optically) between the high voltage unit and the low voltage unit.

Electron source and method for the operation thereof

A housing comprising a liquid-tight electric bushing is provided. The housing comprises an opening and a printed circuit board comprising at least first and second layers. The first layer is a top side of the printed circuit board and spans the opening. A first contact element is disposed on the top side and in a blind bore through the first layer that extends to the second layer. The second layer is a conductor track in the interior of the printed circuit board.

Housing comprising a liquid-tight electric bushing

In a method for estimating the remaining life span of an X-ray radiator that has been installed in an X-ray apparatus and is operational, under specified test conditions and at time intervals, a measurement value that is indicative for the remaining life span of the X-ray radiator is determined and stored in a memory. A forecasted progression of future measurement values is then forecasted from the instantaneous measurement value and previous measurement values that were determined under identical test conditions, which also are stored in the memory. The forecasted remaining life span of the X-ray radiator is then determined based on the forecasted progression and a limit value that is associated with the individual X-ray radiator, which is stored in the memory.

Method for estimating the remaining life span of an X-ray radiator

An x-ray radiator with an anode accommodated in a housing such that it can rotate around an axis has a device for determination of the position of an x-ray-emitting focal spot on the anode. To increase the measurement precision, the device includes a collimator aligned on the focal spot.

X-ray radiator with collimated focal spot position detector

A power source for the operation of a deflection coil for an electron beam of an x-ray tube has a voltage source and a bridge circuit that is connected with each end of the deflection coil, respectively via one power switch in series connection to opposite poles of the voltage source. A current tap taps a coil current signal proportional to the current through the deflection coil. An activation comparator and a deactivation comparator are connected with the current tap to which an activation current signal Iand a deactivation current signal Iare supplied. The power switches are connected with the activation comparator and deactivation comparator such that they are closed in the event that the coil current signal undershoots the activation current signal Iand opened in the event that the coil current signal overshoots the deactivation current signal I.

Power source for regulated operation of the deflection coil of an x-ray tube

In a method and a device for setting the focal spot position of an X-ray tube the focal spot position is regulated as a controlled variable by a closed loop regulation circuit. A deflector deflects the electron beam of the X-ray tube depending on a deflection signal, a deflection closed loop regulator generates the deflection signal depending on a focal spot position signal. A measurement arrangement measures a focal spot position signal. The deflector, the deflection closed loop regulator and the measurement arrangement form a closed loop regulation circuit with the focal spot position as the controlled variable and with the deflection signal as the control parameter.

Growing community of inventors

Herzogenaurach, Germany

Josef Deuringer