Electron beam x-ray computer tomography scanner
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An x-ray computer tomography system for generating an image of an object, the system comprising:
- a stationary, planar anode ring positioned around the object, the anode ring having a radius;
an electron beam source for generating an electron beam, said electron beam source being constructed and arranged to generate the electron beam in a direction substantially perpendicular to the planar anode;
means for deflecting the electron beam into a path which is substantially parallel to the planar anode;
means for guiding the deflected electron beam in a circulating electron beam path, the path lying in a plane substantially parallel to the anode ring plane and having a radius less than the anode ring radius;
means for deflecting electrons out of the circular path so that the deflected electrons strike the anode to generate x-ray radiation;
means for detecting the x-ray radiation which has passed through the object; and
means responsive to the detected x-ray radiation for generating the image.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electron beam x-ray computer tomography scanner is improved so that a compact, tiltable configuration without mechanical motion is achieved. By introducing the electron beam in a direction which is largely parallel rather than perpendicular to the scan plane, the long large diameter evacuated electron beam pipe of prior art is eliminated. As a result, the scan system according to the invention enjoys compact dimensions compared to those of prior art, and free access to the scan region from both the front and back of the scanner is possible.
44 Citations
16 Claims
-
1. An x-ray computer tomography system for generating an image of an object, the system comprising:
-
a stationary, planar anode ring positioned around the object, the anode ring having a radius; an electron beam source for generating an electron beam, said electron beam source being constructed and arranged to generate the electron beam in a direction substantially perpendicular to the planar anode; means for deflecting the electron beam into a path which is substantially parallel to the planar anode; means for guiding the deflected electron beam in a circulating electron beam path, the path lying in a plane substantially parallel to the anode ring plane and having a radius less than the anode ring radius; means for deflecting electrons out of the circular path so that the deflected electrons strike the anode to generate x-ray radiation; means for detecting the x-ray radiation which has passed through the object; and means responsive to the detected x-ray radiation for generating the image. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
-
- 5. In an electron beam x-ray computer tomography system for generating an image of an object, the system having an electron beam source means, an electron beam guiding means, with a stationary anode ring located substantially within a plane, wherein electrons generated by the electron beam source means form an electron beam and the electron beam guiding mean guides the electron beam along a circulating electron beam path located in a plane which is substantially parallel to the plane of the anode ring, and means for deflecting the electron beam out of the circulating electron beam path to collide with the anode ring at a focal spot to emit x-ray radiation, the improvement comprising means located between the electron beam source means and the circulating electron beam path for generating a linear injecting electron beam positioned substantially perpendicular to the plane of the circulating electron beam path, and means for deflecting the injecting electron beam into the circulating electron beam path.
-
12. In an electron beam x-ray computer tomography system for generating an image of an object, the system having an electron beam source, an electron beam guiding means, a stationary planar anode ring having a radius, an x-ray detector ring having a radius less than the anode ring radius and being arranged coaxially with respect to the anode ring wherein the electrons generated by the electron beam source are guided by the guiding means along a circulating electron beam path which lies in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the anode ring and has a path radius larger than the x-ray detector ring radius and smaller than the anode ring radius and means for causing the electrons to collide with the anode ring at a focal spot to emit x-ray radiation, the improvement comprising beam forming means for generating a linear injecting electron beam positioned substantially perpendicular to the electron beam path and intersecting the electron beam path, and means for deflecting the injecting electron beam through an angle of substantially 90°
- so that the injecting electron beam is tangential to the circulating electron beam path.
- View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
- 15. In an electron beam x-ray computer tomography system for generating an image of an object, the system having a stationary anode with an elongated contour that lies substantially within a plane and at least partially surrounds the object, an electron beam source generating an electron beam, means for bending the electron beam into a circulating electron beam part which follows the anode contour means for positioning the circulating electron beam part substantially within a plane which is parallel to the plane of the anode contour, and means for deflecting the circulating electron beam part so that the circulating electron beam part strikes the anode contour at a selected spot, the improvement wherein the electron beam source produces an injecting electron beam part which is substantially perpendicularly to the circulating electron beam part, and wherein the electron beam positioning means comprises a deflector located between the electron beam source and the circulating electron beam part which deflector bends the injecting electron beam part so that it becomes the circulating electron beam part.
Specification