Program Information
X-Ray Tubes for Medical Imaging
R Behling1*, (1) Philips Medical Systems DMC GmbH, Hamburg, Germany
MO-F-141-1 Monday 4:30PM - 6:00PM Room: 141Why do we find 500+ types of X-ray tubes on the market? Why still vacuum technology to generate Bremsstrahlung, ca. 120 years after Conrad Roentgen’s discovery? How do X-ray tubes function and look like? What’s next? (When?) Will we see the X-ray LED’s, compact X-ray Lasers or flat panel sources in medical imaging? These and more questions will be answered in this lecture. We will shortly dive into physics of X-ray generation, study key characteristics, material boundary conditions, manufacturing technology. We will identify the quality parameters, which allow us to compare and select the proper source.
In more detail we will understand design concepts of glass and metal frame, single ended and dual polar tubes, stationary anode tubes with reflection and transmission targets. We will devote a larger portion to rotating anode tubes, their bearings, anode discs, motors, cooling, heat balance. We will talk about electron emitters and beam focusing, focal spot characteristics, MTF, off-focal radiation, focal spot deflection, stability. Side effects need to be mentioned like leakage and scattered radiation. Tube life will be discussed, ageing effects, failure pareto distributions, end-of-life indicators and overall cost drivers.
Funding Support, Disclosures, and Conflict of Interest: Employee of Philips Healthcare
Contact Email: