Embodiments of the invention relate generally to diagnostic imaging and, more particularly, to an apparatus and method for magnetically controlling an electron beam (e-beam).
X-ray systems typically include an x-ray tube, a detector, and a support structure for the x-ray tube and the detector. In operation, an imaging table, on which an object is positioned, is located between the x-ray tube and the detector. The x-ray tube typically emits radiation, such as x-rays, toward the object. The radiation typically passes through the object on the imaging table and impinges on the detector. As radiation passes through the object, internal structures of the object cause spatial variances in the radiation received at the detector. The detector then emits data received, and the system translates the radiation variances into an image, which may be used to evaluate the internal structure of the object. One skilled in the art will recognize that the object may include, but is not limited to, a patient in a medical imaging procedure and an inanimate object as in, for instance, a package in an x-ray scanner or computed tomography (CT) package scanner.
X-ray tubes include a rotating anode structure for the purpose of distributing the heat generated at a focal spot. The anode is typically rotated by an induction motor having a cylindrical rotor built into a cantilevered axle that supports a disc-shaped anode target and an iron stator structure with copper windings that surrounds an elongated neck of the x-ray tube. The rotor of the rotating anode assembly is driven by the stator.
An x-ray tube cathode provides an electron beam that is accelerated using a high voltage applied across a cathode-to-anode vacuum gap to produce x-rays upon impact with the anode. The area where the electron beam impacts the anode is often referred to as the focal spot. Typically, the cathode includes one or more cylindrical or flat filaments positioned within a cup for providing electron beams to create a high-power, large focal spot or a high-resolution, small focal spot, as examples. Imaging applications may be designed that include selecting either a small or a large focal spot having a particular shape, depending on the application. Typically, an electrically resistive emitter or filament is positioned within a cathode cup, and an electrical current is passed therethrough, thus causing the emitter to increase in temperature and emit electrons when in a vacuum.
The shape of the emitter or filament affects the focal spot. In order to achieve a desired focal spot shape, the cathode may be designed taking the shape of the filament into consideration. However, the shape of the filament is not typically optimized for image quality or for thermal focal spot loading. Conventional filaments are primarily shaped as coiled or helical tungsten wires for reasons of manufacturing and reliability. Alternative design options may include alternate design profiles, such as a coiled D-shaped filament. Therefore, the range of design options for forming the electron beam from the emitter may be limited by the filament shape, when considering electrically resistive materials as the emitter source.
Electron beam (e-beam) wobbling is often used to enhance image quality. Typically, wobble is achieved using electrostatic e-beam deflection. However, higher image quality can be achieved by using magnetic deflection. Wobbling via magnetic deflection may achieve a high image quality by ensuring that the electron beam moves from one position to the next usually as quickly as possible while staying in the desired position without straying. However, known systems that perform magnetic wobbling use complex topologies that often include bulky and expensive high voltage parts and do not achieve the fast and stable magnetic wobbling desired for enhanced image quality.
Therefore, it would be desirable to develop an apparatus and method for magnetic deflection that overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks and achieves fast and stable e-beam magnetic wobbling.
Embodiments of the invention are directed to an apparatus and method for magnetic control of an e-beam.
Therefore, in accordance with one aspect of the invention, a control circuit for an electron beam manipulation coil for an x-ray generation system is set forth. The control circuit includes a first low voltage source, a second low voltage source, and a first switching device coupled in series with the first low voltage source and configured to create a first current path with the first low voltage source when in a closed position. The control circuit also includes a second switching device coupled in series with the second low voltage source and configured to create a second current path with the second low voltage source when in a closed position and a capacitor coupled in parallel with an electron beam manipulation coil and positioned along the first and second current paths.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method for driving an electron beam manipulation coil includes the step of (A) closing a first switching device to cause a first current at a first polarity to flow along a first current path, through a resonance circuit, and through a first energy storage device, the resonance circuit comprising an electron beam manipulation coil and a resonance capacitor. The method also includes the steps of (B) opening the first switching device after closing the first switching device to initiate a first resonance cycle in the resonance circuit and (C) closing a second switching device after the first resonance cycle has been initiated to cause a second current at a second polarity to flow along a second current path, through the resonance circuit, and through a second energy storage device.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a computed tomography (CT) system includes a gantry having an opening therein for receiving an object to be scanned and a table positioned within the opening of the rotatable gantry and moveable through the opening. The CT system also includes an x-ray tube coupled to the rotatable gantry and configured to emit a stream of electrons toward a target, the target positioned to direct a beam of x-rays toward a detector and a deflection coil mounted on the x-ray tube and positioned to deflect the stream of electrons in a first direction. A control circuit is also included in the CT system and is electrically coupled to the deflection coil. The control circuit includes a first low voltage source, a second low voltage source and a first switch coupled to the first low voltage source and configured to create a first current path with the first low voltage source when the first switch is closed. The control circuit also includes a second switch coupled to the second low voltage source and configured to create a second current path with the second low voltage source when the second switch is closed and a resonance capacitor coupled in parallel with the deflection coil and positioned along the first and second current paths. A controller electrically is coupled to the control circuit and programmed to control switching of the first and second switches.
Various other features and advantages will be made apparent from the following detailed description and the drawings.
The drawings illustrate preferred embodiments presently contemplated for carrying out the invention.
In the drawings:
The operating environment of embodiments of the invention is described with respect to a sixty-four-slice computed tomography (CT) system. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that embodiments of the invention are equally applicable for use with other multi-slice configurations. Moreover, embodiments of the invention will be described with respect to the detection and conversion of x-rays. However, one skilled in the art will further appreciate that embodiments of the invention are equally applicable for the detection and conversion of other high frequency electromagnetic energy. Embodiments of the invention will be described with respect to a “third generation” CT scanner, but is equally applicable with other CT systems, surgical C-arm systems, and other x-ray tomography systems as well as numerous other medical imaging systems implementing an x-ray tube, such as x-ray or mammography systems.
Referring to
Rotation of gantry 12 and the operation of x-ray source assembly 14 are governed by a control mechanism 28 of CT system 10. Control mechanism 28 includes an x-ray controller 30 that provides power and timing signals to an x-ray source assembly 14 and a gantry motor controller 32 that controls the rotational speed and position of gantry 12. An image reconstructor 34 receives sampled and digitized x-ray data from DAS 20 and performs high speed reconstruction. The reconstructed image is applied as an input to a computer 36 which stores the image in a mass storage device 38. Computer 36 also has software stored thereon corresponding to electron beam positioning and magnetic field control, as described in detail below.
Computer 36 also receives commands and scanning parameters from an operator via console 40 that has some form of operator interface, such as a keyboard, mouse, voice activated controller, or any other suitable input apparatus. An associated display 42 allows the operator to observe the reconstructed image and other data from computer 36. The operator supplied commands and parameters are used by computer 36 to provide control signals and information to DAS 20, x-ray controller 30 and gantry motor controller 32. In addition, computer 36 operates a table motor controller 44 which controls a motorized table 46 to position patient 24 and gantry 12. Particularly, table 46 moves patient 24 through a gantry opening 48 of
A coil 62 is mounted in x-ray tube assembly 14 at a location near the path of electron beam 58. According to one embodiment, coil 62 is wound as a solenoid and is positioned over and around vacuum chamber 52 such that the magnetic field created acts on electron beam 58, causing electron beam 58 to deflect and move between a pair of focal spots or positions 64, 66. The direction of movement of electron beam 58 is determined by the direction of current flow though deflection coil 62, which is controlled via a control circuit 68 coupled to coil 62, as described in more detail with respect to
Referring now to
Accordingly, control circuit 70 achieves fast current inversion using a low voltage source by taking advantage of the resonance cycle that is triggered when a capacitor is connected in parallel with a deflection coil and when a pair of switches are controlled to open and close at specified points on voltage and current diagrams. Further, control circuit 70 is able to achieve the fast current inversion with controlled or minimized resistive losses. Switching losses are limited during current inversion due to the resonant communication, and overall conduction losses are limited because only two switches are used in the control circuit. Further, as shown in
According to one embodiment, operation of control circuit 70 is determined based on an input to an operator console, such as operator console 40 of
Referring now to
Embodiments of the invention described above use a single coil and corresponding control circuit to deflect an electron beam between two focal spots. As would readily be understood by one skilled in the art, such a configuration could be used to deflect an electron beam between two focal spots separated by a desired distance in a desired direction with respect to the anode. For example, a control circuit coupled to the deflection coil may be configured to deflect an electron beam between two points along an x-axis (i.e., in an x-direction).
According to another embodiment of the invention, an x-ray tube assembly may include multiple deflection coils each having its own control circuit. In such a multiple deflection coil embodiment, two or more deflection coils and their respective control circuits may be configured to deflect the electron beam in multiple directions. For example, a first deflection coil/control circuit assembly may cause the electron beam to deflect between two points in a first direction (e.g., along an x-axis), and a second deflection coil/control circuit assembly may cause the electron beam to deflect between two points in a second direction (e.g., along a z-axis).
Embodiments of the invention described herein also may be used in a control circuit for dynamic magnetic focusing of an electron beam with a focusing coil. Dynamic magnetic focusing is used when the accelerating voltage between the cathode and the target is rapidly changed between two values, such as, for example, in dual energy imaging. When the accelerating voltage is rapidly changed, the electron beam ideally maintains focus on the target without changing the geometrical features of the focal spot. In order to maintain the geometry of the focal spot, the focusing magnetic field, and in turn the current through the focusing coil, is adjusted between two values: the value for low voltage and the value for high voltage.
According to one embodiment, partial coil assemblies 160, 162 are configured in a manner similar to exemplary coil structure 166, illustrated in
According to one embodiment, partial coils 170, 174 may be connected to form one overall coil and electrically coupled to control circuit 186 to create a dipole field to control deflection in a first direction. Likewise partial coils 168, 172 may be connected to form a second overall coil, which is electrically coupled to control circuit 190 to create a second dipole field control deflection in a second direction. Alternatively, partial coils 168-174 may all be connected together to form a single overall coil that is controlled by either of control circuits 186, 190 to create a quadrupole field. Partial coils 176-182 may also be connected together to form an overall coil that is controlled by control circuit 188. One skilled in the art will recognize that, by connecting partial coils 176-182 to one another in various manners, different dipole and quadrupole magnetic fields may be generated, as explained in more detail with respect to
Referring now to
Magnetic control of the focus of an electron beam is achieved by generating quadrupole magnetic fields, as shown in
One skilled in the art will recognize that the control schemes described with respect to
Referring now to
A technical contribution for the disclosed method and apparatus is that it provides for a computer implemented apparatus and method for magnetically controlling an electron beam.
Therefore, in accordance with one embodiment, a control circuit for an electron beam manipulation coil for an x-ray generation system is set forth. The control circuit includes a first low voltage source, a second low voltage source, and a first switching device coupled in series with the first low voltage source and configured to create a first current path with the first low voltage source when in a closed position. The control circuit also includes a second switching device coupled in series with the second low voltage source and configured to create a second current path with the second low voltage source when in a closed position and a capacitor coupled in parallel with an electron beam manipulation coil and positioned along the first and second current paths.
In accordance with another embodiment, a method for driving an electron beam manipulation coil includes the step of (A) closing a first switching device to cause a first current at a first polarity to flow along a first current path, through a resonance circuit, and through a first energy storage device, the resonance circuit comprising an electron beam manipulation coil and a resonance capacitor. The method also includes the steps of (B) opening the first switching device after closing the first switching device to initiate a first resonance cycle in the resonance circuit and (C) closing a second switching device after the first resonance cycle has been initiated to cause a second current at a second polarity to flow along a second current path, through the resonance circuit, and through a second energy storage device.
In accordance with yet another embodiment, a computed tomography (CT) system includes a gantry having an opening therein for receiving an object to be scanned and a table positioned within the opening of the rotatable gantry and moveable through the opening. The CT system also includes an x-ray tube coupled to the rotatable gantry and configured to emit a stream of electrons toward a target, the target positioned to direct a beam of x-rays toward a detector and a deflection coil mounted on the x-ray tube and positioned to deflect the stream of electrons in a first direction. A control circuit is also included in the CT system and is electrically coupled to the deflection coil. The control circuit includes a first low voltage source, a second low voltage source and a first switch coupled to the first low voltage source and configured to create a first current path with the first low voltage source when the first switch is closed. The control circuit also includes a second switch coupled to the second low voltage source and configured to create a second current path with the second low voltage source when the second switch is closed and a resonance capacitor coupled in parallel with the deflection coil and positioned along the first and second current paths. A controller electrically is coupled to the control circuit and programmed to control switching of the first and second switches.
This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
4206388 | Ishigaki et al. | Jun 1980 | A |
4242714 | Yoshida et al. | Dec 1980 | A |
5550442 | Ueyama et al. | Aug 1996 | A |
5550889 | Gard et al. | Aug 1996 | A |
5812632 | Schardt et al. | Sep 1998 | A |
5822395 | Schardt et al. | Oct 1998 | A |
5898755 | Meusel et al. | Apr 1999 | A |
6055294 | Foerst et al. | Apr 2000 | A |
6091799 | Schmidt | Jul 2000 | A |
6111934 | Foerst et al. | Aug 2000 | A |
6128367 | Foerst et al. | Oct 2000 | A |
6252935 | Styrnol et al. | Jun 2001 | B1 |
6292538 | Hell et al. | Sep 2001 | B1 |
6339635 | Schardt et al. | Jan 2002 | B1 |
7082188 | Deuringer | Jul 2006 | B2 |
7327092 | Caiafa et al. | Feb 2008 | B2 |
7439682 | Caiafa et al. | Oct 2008 | B2 |
7639785 | Kirshner et al. | Dec 2009 | B2 |
7839979 | Hauttmann et al. | Nov 2010 | B2 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
9520241 | Jul 1995 | WO |
2008068691 | Jun 2008 | WO |
2008155695 | Dec 2008 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20120027164 A1 | Feb 2012 | US |