TSG

Basic CT training : X-ray II CT

Generation of X-rays

15 sheets
x-ray2 *C

© Copyright Toshiba 1997 1

 TSG

Basic CT training : X-ray II CT

Functions of X-ray generator

MAINS IN TO XRAY TUBE

Low Voltage Increase High Voltage: kV

High Current Decrease Low Current: mA

AC Rectify DC

kV mA time

Operator Controls

© Copyright Toshiba 1997 2

 TSG

Basic CT training : X-ray II CT

Basic circuit of X-ray generator

AUTO HIGH VOLTAGE X-RAY
TRANSFORMER TIMER TRANSFORMER RECTIFIER TUBE

High Voltage
Low Voltage
Low Current
High Current
DC
AC

CATHODE
HEATER
kV s mA POWER
LINE

© Copyright Toshiba 1997 3

 TSG

Basic CT training : X-ray II CT

H.V. Transformer + Rectifier

360 MΩ

+ kV
+ mA 48 KΩ

50Ω

- mA

- kV

© Copyright Toshiba 1997 4

 TSG

Basic CT training : X-ray II CT

Generation of X-rays
vacuum

ANODE KATHODE
100 mA

100 mA 100 mA
+ -
30 - 150 kV

© Copyright Toshiba 1997 5

 TSG

Basic CT training : X-ray II CT

Metal Section X-ray Tube

Metal Primary
Center Section Electrons

ANODE 90 mA CATHODE 100 mA

Secondary
Electrons
Center Section Lead

10 mA
90 mA 100 mA

© Copyright Toshiba 1997 6

 TSG

Basic CT training : X-ray II CT

Metal Section X-ray Tube (2 focus)

Filament for Small Focus

ANODE CATHODE Common

Filament for Large Focus

ANODE ANODE ANODE

Filament for Small Focus

Common
Focal
Large Small Spot
Focus Focus Filament for Large Focus

© Copyright Toshiba 1997 7

 TSG

Basic CT training : X-ray II CT

Metal Small Large

Focus Focus
Section Focal spot

X-ray Tube
(2 focus) Same Slit

© Copyright Toshiba 1997 8

 TSG

Basic CT training : X-ray II CT

Metal Section X-ray Tube (2 focus)

Small Focus Large Focus

– Lower power input + High power input

(e.g.: 120kV 200mA) (e.g.: 120kV 300mA)

+ For small objects – Not for thin slices.

(thin slices)

© Copyright Toshiba 1997 9

 TSG

Basic CT training : X-ray II CT

Heat producedmA in X-ray tube (1/3)

kV Time

Heat
Produced

Cooling Unit

OIL

Housing

Anode Focal Spot

© Copyright Toshiba 1997 10

 TSG

Basic CT training : X-ray II CT

Heat produced in X-ray tube (2/3)

Focal Spot
mA
kV Time
radiation
conduction

Heat Anode
Produced
radiation

Housing
Cooling Unit

AIR

convection

© Copyright Toshiba 1997 11

 TSG

Basic CT training : X-ray II CT

Heat produced in X-ray tube (3/3)

HEAT HEAT
Temperature
4000o

3000o

2000o

1000o

0o

Small heat capacity

Large heat capacity
© Copyright Toshiba 1997 12
 TSG

Basic CT training : X-ray II CT

OverLoad Protection (OLP)

• OLP will protect the tube. It will prevent
exposure if the tube is too hot.

• OLP is calculated by the input kV, mA and

time. This is expressed in Heat Units (HU).
kHU = kV ∗ mA ∗ sec ∗ 1.4

• The X-ray tube specification will state the

maximum amount of HU the tube can
handle. Also a cooling curve is specified.

© Copyright Toshiba 1997 13

 TSG

Basic CT training : X-ray II CT

Anode heating and cooling curves

1
CXB-200 (example)
120%

0.9

0.8100%

0.7
80%

0.6
Cooling-rate
% OLP

60% Continuous Scan 120kv/100mA

0.5

Continuous Scan 120kv/50mA

0.4
40%
Scan 120kv/70mA/4s + 10s wait

0.3

20%
0.2

0.1
0%
0 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40 44 48 52 56 60
0 time (for COOLING=minutes) (for SCAN=seconds)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

© Copyright Toshiba 1997 14

 TSG

Basic CT training : X-ray II CT

Tube protection
Cooling Unit

Temperature
OIL
Switch

Oil Flow
Switch

In case the temperature switch or/and the flow switch

detect an abnormality, X-ray generation is not possible.

© Copyright Toshiba 1997 15