X-ray computed tomography imaging apparatus and x-ray tube apparatus
AssigneeCanon Medical Systems Corporation
InventorsSanae Harada, Hiroaki Miyazaki
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
According to one embodiment, an X-ray computed tomography imaging apparatus includes an X-ray tube, an X-ray detector, and control circuitry. The X-ray tube includes a cathode configured to generate thermoelectrons, an anode configured to generate X-rays upon receiving the thermoelectrons from the cathode, and a regulator configured to apply an electric field or a magnetic field to focus or bias the thermoelectrons from the cathode. The X-ray detector detects the X-rays generated by the anode. The control circuitry controls the regulator to switch at least one of the size and position of the focus of the thermoelectrons from the cathode on the anode between scan and warm-up.
Claims12
An X-ray computed tomography imaging apparatus comprising:
- an X-ray tube including a cathode configured to generate thermoelectrons, an anode configured to generate X-rays upon receiving the thermoelectrons from the cathode, and a regulator configured to apply an electric field or a magnetic field to focus or bias the thermoelectrons from the cathode;
- an X-ray detector configured to detect the X-rays generated by the anode;
- data acquisition circuitry configured to acquire data corresponding to the X-rays detected by the X-ray detector;
- image generation circuitry configured to generate an image based on the acquired data;
- a blocking member configured to retractably block an X-ray path from the X-ray tube to the X-ray detector;
- and
- control circuitry configured to control the regulator to switch at least one of a size and a position of a focus of the thermoelectrons from the cathode on the anode between scan and warm-up, wherein
- the control circuitry controls the blocking member to block the X-ray path during the warm-up, and to allow the X-rays to traverse the X-ray path during the scan.
An X-ray computed tomography imaging apparatus comprising:
- an X-ray tube including a first cathode used for scan and configured to generate thermoelectrons, a second cathode used for warm-up and configured to generate thermoelectrons, and an anode configured to generate X-rays upon receiving the thermoelectrons from the first cathode or the second cathode;
- an X-ray detector configured to detect the X-rays generated by the anode;
- control circuitry configured to control, when transitioning from the warm-up to the scan, the X-ray tube to switch from the second cathode, which is used during the warmup, to the first cathode, which is used during the scan;
- data acquisition circuitry configured to acquire data corresponding to the X-rays detected by the X-ray detector;
- and
- image generation circuitry configured to generate an image based on the acquired data.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.