General Electric Company

Other

Ge Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC

Wayne Frederick Block

Charles B Kendall

Mark O Derakhshan

J Scott Price

Michael J Price

Jiang Hsieh

Thomas L Toth

Mark Ernest Vermilyea

Sergio Lemaitre

John Scott Price

Edward Emaci

Ron Kent Hockersmith

Stephen W Gravelle

Gorur N Sridhar

John A Holma

Eric Chabin

Willi H Hampel

An x-ray tube assembly is provided comprising a tube casing assembly including a plurality of vertical mount posts. An insulator plate is mounted to the plurality of vertical mount posts such that the insulator plate can translate vertically on the posts. A cathode assembly is mounted to the insulator plate and generates both an eccentric moment and a vertical expansion in response to a cathode power load. A semi-compressible element is positioned between at least one of the vertical mount posts and the insulator plate. The semi-compressible element becomes incompressible at a cathode power threshold such that the vertical expansion is translated into a correction moment countering the eccentric moment.

Reduced focal spot motion in a CT X-ray tube

An anode assembly having multiple target electrodes is disclosed. Each target electrode produces an x-ray fan beam for radiographic data acquisition. The target electrodes are designed to sequentially generate an x-ray fan beam and therefore operate at a proportional duty cycle per scan. Power output capabilities of the anode assembly is increased without an increase in the size or thermal overloading of the anode assembly.

Multiple target anode assembly and system of operation

Systems and methods for obtaining multi-slice images having a total thickness of up to about 160 mm or more in a single gantry rotation in computed tomography or volume computed tomography are described. One embodiment comprises an extended, multi-spot x-ray source for computed tomography or volume computed tomography imaging, comprising: an electron gun capable of producing a plurality of electron beams, each electron beam focused at a predetermined distance and aimed in a predetermined direction; and a plurality of targets positioned to receive the electron beams and generate x-rays in response thereto, each target comprising a predetermined focal spot thereon, wherein each electron beam is synchronized to strike, at an appropriate time, a predetermined target comprising a predetermined focal spot thereon.

Extended multi-spot computed tomography x-ray source

A hybrid MR/x-ray scanner is disclosed that allows for the acquisition of x-ray as well as MR data in a single exam without requiring patient repositioning. As an MR scanner, the hybrid system is capable of providing images with soft tissue contrast, excellent 3D visualization, the ability to image in multiple scan planes, as well as the possibility of providing physiological information. The x-ray components of the hybrid scanner include a rotatable anode that rotates during data acquisition and is caused to rotate without introduction of unwanted magnetic flux to the MR magnetic field.

MR/X-ray scanner having rotatable anode

An x-ray system with an x-ray generating device having improved heat dissipation capabilities. The x-ray generating device includes an x-ray tube mounted in a casing holding a circulating, cooling medium. According to the present invention, the x-ray generating device includes a support mechanism mounted within the x-ray generating device in a manner for adjustably positioning, relative to the casing, the focal spot alignment path of generated x-rays. Additionally, the x-ray generating device includes a cooling mechanism having an inlet chamber for channeling the cooling medium within the support mechanism. Additionally, a cooling stem may be positioned within the inlet chamber to increase the heat exchange surface area exposed to the cooling medium. Thus, the present invention advantageously increases the heat dissipation capability of the x-ray generating device.

X-ray tube having increased cooling capabilities

An x-ray system with an x-ray generating device having improved heat dissipation capabilities. The x-ray generating device has an x-ray tube mounted in a casing holding a circulating, cooling medium. According to the present invention, the x-ray generating device includes a support mechanism mounted within the x-ray generating device in a manner for adjustably positioning, relative to the casing, the focal spot alignment path of generated x-rays. Additionally, the x-ray generating device includes a cooling mechanism having an inlet chamber for channeling the cooling medium within the support mechanism. Additionally, a cooling stem may be positioned within the inlet chamber to increase the heat exchange surface area exposed to the cooling medium. Thus, the present invention advantageously increases the heat dissipation capability of the x-ray generating device.

An X-ray tube comprises an anode assembly having an associated anode and a cathode assembly for providing a focused electron beam directed to the anode. An anode target, associated with the anode assembly, accelerates the electron beam and produces X-rays upon electron impact with the anode target. Off-focal radiation tends to be most intensely emitted by the top surface of the target. In conventional X-ray tubes, the off-focal radiation as seen by the detector encompasses almost the entire top surface of the target assembly. In accordance with the present invention, the anode target comprises a cut-out top surface for reducing off-focal radiation, by blocking the off-focal radiation from the top surface from reaching the detector. Blocking the radiation produced at the top surface becomes more important as the ratio of the track area visible at the detector decreases with respect to the top surface area.

X-ray tube target for reduced off-focal radiation

A method of bonding a metallic target layer and a graphite disk to provide a composite rotating X-ray tube target wherein a high vapor pressure metal is placed between the target layer and the graphite disk and the vapor pressure of the joint is controlled. The vapor pressure is controlled by limiting the thickness of the joint and thereby causing the metallic character of the braze joint in this region to be altered. In a preferred manner, this is effected by interfitting projecting and recessed portions in the graphite disk and metallic target layer. The preferred high vapor pressure metal is titanium. A composite X-ray tube target is produced having a high remelt temperature and thus capable of being employed in X-ray tubes having more aggressive protocols.

High vapor pressure metal for X-ray anode braze joint

A method of bonding a metallic target layer and a graphite disk to provide a composite rotating X-ray tube target wherein a layer of vanadium, titanium, or their alloys is placed between the target layer and the graphite disk. The assembly is heated in a rapid manner through a temperature range as provided by a carbon-braze metal eutectic temperature and a braze metal melt temperature with continued heating to a temperature of 75.degree. C. above the melt temperature. The elevated temperature is maintained for about 5 minutes and then the assembly is cooled in a rapid manner through the temperature range. A composite X-ray tube target is produced having a high remelt temperature and bond strength.

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Sussex, WI, United States of America

Wayne Frederick Block