X-ray unit

Abstract

The invention relates to an X-ray unit, an X-ray system, and a method for manufacturing an X-ray system. The X-ray system comprises an X-ray unit, a cathode, and an anode. The X-ray unit comprises a vacuum tube and a magnet system. The vacuum tube is configured to encase a cathode, an anode, and a drift way for an electron beam moving between the cathode and the anode. The magnet system is configured to focus the electron beam and the magnet system is fused to the vacuum tube.

Claims

1. An X-ray device, comprising: a vacuum tube configured to encase a cathode and an anode to form a drift way for an electron beam moving between the cathode and the anode; and a magnet system configured to focus the electron beam, wherein the magnet system is a mono shell fused to the vacuum tube to directly connect the magnet system to the vacuum tube to form one part only, and wherein the magnet system surrounds the vacuum tube in an area of the drift way.

2. The X-ray device according to claim 1, wherein the magnet system is fused to the vacuum tube based on a local melting of a material of the vacuum tube.

3. The X-ray device according to claim 1, wherein the magnet system is welded to the vacuum tube.

4. The X-ray device according to claim 1, wherein the magnet system comprises a deflection unit configured to magnetically deflect the electron beam moving between the cathode and the anode.

5. The X-ray device according to claim 4, wherein the deflection unit comprises coils arranged at a yoke made of only one piece.

6. The X-ray device according to claim 4, wherein the deflection unit is at least one of a group comprising a dipole, a quadrupole, and an octupole.

7. The X-ray device according to claim 4, wherein the magnet system comprises a support tube surrounding the vacuum tube in an area of the drift way and housing the deflection unit.

8. The X-ray device according to claim 7, wherein the support tube is made of only one piece.

9. An X-ray system, comprising: a cathode; an anode; and an X-ray device comprising: a vacuum tube configured to encase the cathode and the anode to form a drift way for an electron beam moving between the cathode and the anode; and a magnet system configured to focus the electron beam, wherein the magnet system is a mono shell fused to the vacuum tube to directly connect the magnet system to the vacuum tube to form one part only, and wherein the magnet system surrounds the vacuum tube in an area of the drift way.

10. A method of manufacturing an X-ray system, comprising: providing a vacuum tube; arranging a cathode and an anode within the vacuum tube to form a drift way for an electron beam moving between the cathode and the anode; providing a magnet system configured to focus the electron beam, wherein the magnet system is a mono shell; and fusing the mono shell to the vacuum tube to directly connect the magnet system to the vacuum tube to form one part only, wherein the magnet system surrounds the vacuum tube in an area of the drift way.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 shows schematically and exemplarily an embodiment of an X-ray system with an X-ray unit according to the invention.

(3) FIG. 2 shows a 3D visualization of the interior of a magnet system of the X-ray unit according to the invention.

(4) FIG. 3 shows a cross section of the magnet system of the X-ray unit according to the invention.

(5) FIG. 4 shows a cathode and the magnet system of the X-ray system according to the invention.

(6) FIG. 5 shows a schematic overview of steps of a method for manufacturing an X-ray system according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(7) FIG. 1 shows schematically and exemplarily an embodiment of an X-ray system 1 according to the invention. The X-ray system 1 comprises an X-ray unit 10, a cathode 13, and an anode 14. The X-ray unit 10 comprises a vacuum tube 11 and a magnet system 12. The vacuum tube 11 is configured to encase the cathode 13, the anode 14, and a drift way 15 for an electron beam 16 moving between the cathode 13 and the anode 14. The magnet system 12 focuses the electron beam 16 and surrounds the vacuum tube 11 in an area of the drift way 15. The magnet system 12 is fused and in particular welded to the vacuum tube 11.

(8) FIGS. 2 and 3 show schematically and exemplarily an embodiment of the magnet system 12. FIG. 2 shows a 3D visualization of the interior of the magnet system 12, while FIG. 3 shows a cross section of the magnet system 12. The magnet system 12 comprises a deflection unit 121 and a support tube 17.

(9) The deflection unit 121 magnetically deflects the electron beam 16 moving between the cathode 13 and the anode 14. The deflection unit 121 is here a quadrupole and comprise four coils 122 arranged at a yoke 123. The yoke 123 is made of and comprises only one piece.

(10) The support tube 17 surrounds the vacuum tube 11 in an area of the drift way 15 and houses the deflection unit 121. The support tube 17 is made of and comprises only one piece. The support tube 17 is fused and in particular welded to the other components of the X-ray unit 10.

(11) The cathode 13 and the magnet system 12 are also shown in FIG. 4. In contrast to a conventional bottleneck, the support tube 17 need not to have a small diameter and a low wall thickness. The support tube 17 may have a much larger outer diameter in comparison to the bottleneck (not visible) and also a much larger wall thickness. For example, the support tube 17 may have an outer diameter of about 100 mm and a wall thickness of about 10 mm, while the surrounded bottleneck has an outer diameter of about 30 mm and a wall thickness of about 0.6 mm.

(12) FIG. 5 shows a schematic overview of steps of a method for manufacturing an X-ray system 1 according to the invention. The method comprises the following steps, not necessarily in this order: In a first step S1, providing a vacuum tube 11. In a second step S2, arranging a cathode 13 and an anode 14 within the vacuum tube 11 to form a drift way 15 for an electron beam 16 moving between the cathode 13 and the anode 14. In a third step S3, providing a magnet system 12 configured to focus the electron beam 16. In a fourth step S4, fusing the magnet system 12 to the vacuum tube 11. Fusing may be understood in that the magnet system 12 is integrated into the vacuum tube 11, so that the magnet system 12 and the vacuum tube 11 are directly connected with each other and form only one part. For example, the magnet system 12 is welded to the vacuum tube 11 in an area of the drift way 15.

(13) As a result, the stiffness in the area of the drift way 15 is greatly improved. The increased stiffness may allow a higher g-force stiffness of the cathode 13 in a CT gantry and a higher eigenfrequency. No sealing and elaborate positioning of single parts are necessary, while also a yoke 123 of the magnet system 12 can be one single, closed part. The accuracy is improved, while at the same time costs are reduced.

(14) It has to be noted that embodiments of the invention are described with reference to different subject matters. In particular, some embodiments are described with reference to method type claims whereas other embodiments are described with reference to the device type claims. However, a person skilled in the art will gather from the above and the following description that, unless otherwise notified, in addition to any combination of features belonging to one type of subject matter also any combination between features relating to different subject matters is considered to be disclosed with this application. However, all features can be combined providing synergetic effects that are more than the simple summation of the features.

(15) While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive. The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing a claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the dependent claims.

(16) In the claims, the word comprising does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article a or an does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit may fulfil the functions of several items re-cited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are re-cited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.