X-ray generating apparatus and X-ray fluoroscopyimaging system equipped with the same

• US 10,224,170 B2
• Filed: 11/27/2017
• Issued: 03/05/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nuctech Company Limited (Tsinghua Tongfang Co., Ltd.), Tsinghua University
• Original Assignee: Nuctech Company Limited (Tsinghua Tongfang Co., Ltd.), Tsinghua University
• Inventors: Tang, Huaping, Tang, Chuanxiang, Chen, Huaibi
• Primary Examiner(s): Kiknadze, Irakli
• Application Number:
  US15/822,219
• Publication Number:
  US 20180090294A1
• Time in Patent Office: 463 Days
• Field of Search: 378140, 378147-153
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 23/043 using fluoroscopic examination, with visual observation or video transmission of fluoroscopic images
• CPC Class Codes: G21K 1/02 using diaphragms, collimators
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 2235/166 against electromagnetic radiation
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 35/147 Spot size control
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 35/16 Vessels; Containers; Shields associated therewith

Abstract

The present invention provides an X-ray generating apparatus and an X-ray fluoroscopy imaging system comprising the same. The X-ray generating apparatus comprises: an electron accelerator, an electron emission unit, and a target; and a shielding and collimating device, including a shielding structure and multiple collimators arranged in the shielding structure, wherein the collimators are thin gaps extending from the target to an exterior surface of the shielding structure and having an axis transverse an electron beam shooting the target, and at least two collimators forming different angles with the electron beam are arranged on the same side of a plane contains the electron beam shooting the target, and the planes where the collimators locate form angles from 30 degrees to 150 degrees with the electron beam shooting the target, to draw out planar beams having different draw-out angles, each having uniform intensity distribution in its respective plane.

Claims

1. An X-ray generating apparatus, comprising:

an electron accelerator including an electron acceleration unit, an electron emission unit, and a target; and

a shielding and collimating device, including a shielding structure and multiple collimators arranged in the shielding structure,

wherein the target is surrounded by the shielding structure,

the collimators are thin gaps extending from the target to an exterior surface of the shielding structure and having an axis transverse an electron beam shooting the target, and at least two collimators forming different angles with the electron beam are arranged on the same side of a plane contains the electron beam shooting the target, and

the planes where the collimators locate form angles from 30 degrees to 150 degrees with the electron beam shooting the target, to draw out planar beams having different draw-out angles, each having uniform intensity distribution in its respective plane, wherein the planar beams have energy difference therebetween.

2. The X-ray generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, the electron accelerator has energy of above 2 MeV.

3. The X-ray generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, each of the collimator is a planar fan-shaped gap arranged in the shielding structure.

4. The X-ray generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, the electron accelerator further comprises an electron drift segment connected between the electron acceleration unit and the target.

5. The X-ray generating apparatus according to claim 4, wherein, the electron drift segment is a small diameter conduit, wherein the small diameter conduit has an inner diameter larger than the diameter of the electron beam and an outer diameter less than the outer diameter of the electron acceleration unit.

6. The X-ray generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, the shielding structure is made from a material that is able to block and absorb most of undesired X-rays.

7. The X-ray generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, the target is a planer structure, a spherical surface structure, or other curved surface structure.

8. The X-ray generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, the positions of the multiple collimators are symmetrical with respect to a plane passing the target point and perpendicular to the electron beam.

9. The X-ray generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, the shielding and collimating device consists of two collimators in a direction forming an angle less than 90°

with said electron beam and in a direction forming an angle larger than 90°

with said electron beam, to draw out two planar fan-shaped beams, each having uniform intensity distribution in its respective plane, wherein the two planar fan-shaped beams have energy difference therebetween.

10. An X-ray fluoroscopy imaging system, comprising:

an X-ray generating apparatus, having;

an electron accelerator including an electron acceleration unit, an electron emission unit, and a target; and

a shielding and collimating device, including a shielding structure and multiple collimators arranged in the shielding structure,

wherein the target is surrounded by the shielding structure,

the collimators are thin gaps extending from the target to an exterior surface of the shielding structure and having an axis transverse an electron beam shooting the target, and at least two collimators forming different angles with the electron beam are arranged on the same side of a plane contains the electron beam shooting the target, and

the planes where the collimators locate form angles from 30 degrees to 150 degrees with the electron beam shooting the target, to draw out planar beams having different draw-out angles, each having uniform intensity distribution in its respective plane, wherein the planar beams have energy difference therebetween.