Koninklijke Philips Corporation N.v.

Martin Kimutai Duerr

Gereon Vogtmeier

Rainer Pietig

Christoph Loef

Rainer Kiewitt

Gerald James Carlson

Hans Peter Sprong

For the generation of multiple-energy X-ray radiation, an X-ray tube () for generating multiple-energy X-ray radiation includes an anode () and a filter (). At least a first () and a second focal spot position () are offset from each other in an offset direction () transverse to an X-ray radiation projection direction. The filter includes a first plurality () of first portions () with first filtering characteristics for X-ray radiation and a second plurality () of second portions () with second filtering characteristics for X-ray radiation. The filter is a directional filter adapted in a such a way that at least a first X-ray beam () emanating from the first focal spot position at least partly passes through the filter unit via the first portions, and a second X-ray beam () emanating from the second focal spot position passes obliquely through the first and the second portions when passing through the filter unit.

Multiple focal spot X-ray radiation filtering

The present invention relates to determining changes in the X-ray emission yield of an X-ray tube, in particular determining dose degradation. In order to provide determination of such changes, an X-ray source is provided comprising a cathode, an anode; and at least one X-ray sensor (). The cathode emits electrons towards the anode and the anode comprises a target area on which the electrons impinge, generating X-ray radiation. An X-ray barrier () is provided with an aperture () for forming an emitting X-ray beam from the X-ray radiation, wherein the emitting X-ray beam has a beam formation () with a central axis. The at least one X-ray sensor is arranged within the beam formation and measures the X-ray intensity for a specific direction of X-ray emission with an angle with respect to the central axis. The at least one X-ray sensor can be positioned inside the beam formation (), but outside the 'actual field of view' () as determined by a diaphragm ().

Determining changes in the x-ray emission yield of an x-ray source

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Aachen, Germany

Martin Kimutai Duerr