Improvements to conventional X-ray tube-based cone-beam computed tomography system

Conventional X-ray tube-based cone-beam computed tomography(CX-CBCT) systems have great potential in industrial applications. Such systems can rapidly obtain a three-dimensional(3D) image of an object.Conventional X-ray tubes fulfill the requirements for industrial applications, because of their high tube voltage and power. Continuous improvements have been made to CX-CBCT systems, such as imaging time shortening,acquisition strategy optimization, and imaging software development, etc. In this study, a CX-CBCT system is developed. Additionally, some improvements to the CX-CBCT system are proposed based on the hardware conditions of the X-ray tube and detector. A near-detector(ND)geometry condition is employed to obtain a sharper image and larger detection area. An improved acquisition strategy is proposed to simplify operations and reduce total imaging time. In the ND geometry condition, a simplified method called FBP slice stacking(SS-FBP) is proposed, which can be applied to 3D image reconstruction. SS-FBP is timesaving relative to traditional methods. Furthermore, imaging software for the CX-CBCT system is developed in the MATLAB environment. Several imaging experiments were performed. The results suggest that the CX-CBCT system works properly, and that the above improvements are feasible and practical.

Experimental research on the feature of an x-ray Talbot–Lau interferometer versus tube accelerating voltage

X-ray Talbot-Lau interferometer has been used most widely to perform x-ray phase-contrast imaging with a con- ventional low-brilliance x-ray source, and it yields high-sensitivity phase and dark-field images of samples producing low absorption contrast, thus beating tremendous potential for future clinical diagnosis. In this work, by changing the accel- erating voltage of the x-ray tube from 35 kV to 45 kV, x-ray phase-contrast imaging of a test sample is performed at each integer value of the accelerating voltage to investigate the characteristic of an x-ray Talbot-Lau interferometer （located in the Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University, Japan） versus tube voltage. Ex- perimental results and data analysis show that within a range this x-ray Talbot-Lau interferometer is not sensitive to the accelerating voltage of the tube with a constant fringe visibility of ~ 44%. This x-ray Talbot-Lau interferometer research demonstrates the feasibility of a new dual energy phase-contrast x-ray imaging strategy and the possibility to collect a refraction spectrum.

Effects of Tube Voltage on Phase-Contrast Imaging for Different Microfocus X-Ray Tubes

In the past decade, phase-contrast imaging (PCI) has become a hot research with an increased improvement of the image contrast with respect to conventional absorption radiography. In this paper, effects of tube voltage (kVp) on propagation-based phase-contrast imaging have been investigated with two types of microfocus x-ray tubes, a conventional sealed x-ray tube with the focal spot size of 13 - 20 μm and an open x-ray tube with minimum focal spot size less than 2 μm. A cooled x-ray CCD detector with the pixel size of 24 μm was used to acquire digital images. Two thin plastic sheets with different thickness were used as radiography phantoms. Two different phenomena were observed for the two x-ray tubes. For the open tube, phase-contrast effect has a slight drop with the increasing of tube voltage, however, it is opposite for the sealed tube. A further investigation indicates that the variation of focal spot size causes the abnormal result for the sealed tube. It also shows that phase-contrast effect is more sensitive to focal spot size than tube voltage.

Simulating Medical Imaging X-Ray Tubes with Various Parameters Using BEAMnrc Monte Carlo Software

Context: Medical imaging has a wide range of applications in today’s society. Basic projectional radiography, CT scans, mammograms and a range of other advanced technologies all use x-rays to create a large number of examinations every day across the world. The most essential component of such medical equipment is the x-ray tube, which creates and produces x-rays. Objective: We describe and investigate an abstract model-geometry of a simple x-ray tube utilizing the open-source software package of BEAMnrc of the EGSnrcmp family, which is well validated by several studies over the years, for high and low energy photons generation. Methodology: Our research focuses on two different electron beam energies: 120 keV and 30 keV. The 120 keV is the typical energy for simple projectional radiographic exams and CT examinations, whereas the 30 keV is the typical energy of mammography. Results: Two different anode materials are used for each case, Gold (Au) and Tungsten (W) for 120 keV because these are the most common in projectional radiography and CT;Molybdenum (Mo) and Rhodium (Rh) for 30 keV because with these targets most mammography exams are carried out. The aim of this work is to show how the BEAMnrc software package can simulate effectively x-ray generation of low-energy photons which are utilized in modern medical imaging procedures. We describe useful information on anode-target characteristics, such as anode angle, anode material, and metal filter materials, based on previous quality studies even by using software other than BEAMnrc. Conclusion: We demonstrate that BEAMnrc can be efficiently used for Monte Carlo modeling of low-energy photons.

Chemical Analysis of Hydroxyapatite Artificial Bone Powders by Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry(EDXRF)

Stoichiometric hydroxyapatite(HA)nanoparticles were synthesized by a wet chemical method.Calcium nitrate tetra hydrate used as calcium source and dibasic ammonium phosphate used as phosphorous source.Calcium nitrate tetra hydrate and dibasic ammonium phosphate solutions were prepared by dissolving the salts in distilled water.Stoichiometric hydroxyapatite nanoparticles used by artificial bone powders and synthesized by a wet chemical method were analyzed using EDXRF method.The concentrations of K,Ca,Ti,V,Cr,Fe,Ni,Cu,Sr and Pb for artificial bone powders have been determined.Besides,Calcium contents were evaluated according to the agitation time and temperature in the production process.

Naso-jejunal tube insertion-interface between radiology and endoscopy

A survey was performed to identify the practice associated with endoscopic placement of naso-jejunal(NJ) tubes. We had a total of 236 responses, of which 228 responded to the frequency of requesting X-rayafter placing NJ tubes. The responses suggested that there was a strong variation in the practice. The practice was independent on clinicians' area of interest, hospital setting or experience in endoscopy. Currently there are no accepted guidelines on this. Hence, we advise hospitals to have robust local guidelines until there is internationally agreed consensus.

Energy spectrum of multi-radiation of X-rays in a low energy Mather-type plasma focus device

The multi-radiation of X-rays was investigated with special attention to their energy spectrum in a Mather-type plasma focus device （operated with argon gas）. The analysis is based on the effect of anomalous resistances. To study the energy spectrum, a four-channel diode X-ray spectrometer was used along with a special set of filters. The filters were suitable for detection of medium range X-rays as well as hard X-rays with energy exceeding 30 keV. The results indicate that the anomalous resistivity effect during the post pinch phase may cause multi-radiation of X-rays with a total duration of 300 ± 50 ns. The significant contribution of Cu-Kα was due to the medium range X-rays, nonetheless, hard X-rays with energies greater than 15 keV also participate in the process. The total emitted X-ray energy in the forms of Cu-K and Cu-K/3 was around 0.14 ± 0.02 （J/Sr） and 0.04 ±0.01 （J/Sr）, respectively. The total energy of the emitted hard X-ray （〉 15 keV） was around 0.12± 0.02 （J/Sr）.

Reducing Radiation Dose by Using Pulse X-Ray Apparatus

Pulse X-ray diagnostics is capable of reducing the radiation exposure considerably. As for pulse X-ray diagnostic machines, which form pulses with the duration of 0.1 μs, using them one can get outstanding results in this area. This fact can be explained by the long period of luminophor persistence in intensifying X-ray luminescent screens. In this paper we present experimental data, comparing radiation doses, measured at pulse X-ray apparatus and apparatus of constant radiation.

Reduction of the Radiation Dose by Decreasing the Tube Current without Degradation of Low-Contrast Detectability on Abdominal Multi-Detector Row CT: A Phantom-Based Study

As use of the lowest acceptable radiation dose during routine diagnostic imaging is important, we determined the optimal tube current without degradation of low-contrast detectability on abdominal multi-detector row CT (MDCT). CT scanning was performed with a Catphan®?500 phantom. The optimal tube current was 300 mA on 64-MDCT and 160 mA on 8-MDCT, with a fixed voltage of 120 kV. Reduction of the radiation dose in abdominal CT scanning by lowering the tube current proved to be feasible.

Experimental Investigations on Boiling Heat Transfer Inside Miniature Circular Tubes Immersed in FC-72

To investigate the size effect on the characteristics of boiling heat transfer, boiling behavior of FC-72 in heated vertical miniature circular tubes immersed in a liquid pool was experimentally studied. Two AISI 304 stainless steel tubes with inner diameters of 1.10 mm and 1.55 mm correspondingly, were heated by swirled Ni-Cr wire heaters and sealed in Lucite blocks by silicon adhesive. Both the top and the bottom ends of the circular test sections were open to the liquid pool. The boiling curves and heat transfer coefficients were obtained experimentally. The boiling behaviors at the outlets of the miniature tubes were also visualized with a digital video camera. Experimental results show that the tube geometry has a significant effect on the boiling characteristics. Vapor blocking at the outlet of the smaller circular tube with a diameter of 1.10 mm caused severe boiling hysteresis phenomena. The CHF decreased with reducing in tube size.

小型化冷阴极触发管的研究

冷阴极触发管是电子引信系统中的关键器件,具有开关电流大、使用电压范围宽、温度范围宽、可靠性高、抗干扰性强等特点。针对电子引信系统小型化、集成化、低成本、高可靠发展的需要,本文开展小型化冷阴极触发管的研究,设计并制得样管。通过仿真,给出静电场分布情况。对样管进行电参数和可靠性能测试,结果表明,其工作电压范围为1.2~1.8 kV,且可通过对工作寿命、振动、高低温工作和贮存、冲击等可靠性试验考核,主要参数基本满足现代电子引信的使用需求。

Vacuum-sealed miniature modulated x-ray source and the influence factors of x-ray intensity

The vacuum-sealed miniature modulated x-ray source （VMMXS） with a hot cathode is fabricated via the single- step brazing process in a vacuum furnace. An experiment following the VMMXS is implemented to present its performances, including the influence of grid electrode potential on x-ray intensities. The modulation type of the grid electrode as a switch is proposed, and its feasibility is successfully demonstrated. It is noteworthy to discover a phenomenon for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, that the high repetition frequency grid pulse of the VMMXS has a significant effect on the x-ray intensity. The probable cause for this new finding is analyzed.

高频微型脉冲管制冷机的设计计算方法研究

通过对高频微型脉冲管制冷机的几何结构以及运行参数进行分析 ,介绍了一种理论计算与试验结合的脉冲管制冷机设计方法 ;由此设计了一微型脉冲管制冷机系统 ,并进行了试验 ,实验结果基本满足了设计要求。

超高频同轴型脉冲管制冷机研究

超高频脉冲管制冷机体积小、重量轻,在空间应用中备受关注,近几年来成为该领域的一个前沿发展方向。由于直线型脉冲管制冷机结构简单、方便调试,在模拟计算的基础上加工直线型试验样机,根据直线型试验样机的优化结果设计加工同等尺度的同轴型原理样机,其冷指外径仅有9 mm,长度40 mm,质量为250 g。同轴型样机经过压缩机的匹配和双向进气结构的优化,采用谐振频率为50 Hz高频压缩机工作在90 Hz驱动,80 W电功率输入下可获得46.4 K无负荷最低温度,在80 K可获得2.1 W制冷量。由于冷指尺寸小、运行频率高,冷头降温速度快,2 min即可从室温降至工作温区80 K,且冷头温度不受重力影响。

微型X射线管出射谱特征研究及Be窗厚度确定

微型X射线管已广泛应用于现场元素分析、放射性医疗等领域,对于微型X射线管铍窗,普遍认为除保证管内真空外,应越薄越好。采用蒙特卡洛方法,模拟了从50～500μm范围内共13个Be窗厚度的微型X射线管出射X射线谱。按照在应用中的作用,将出射X射线划分为不同能量段进行分析。通过分析谱线特征,发现Be窗厚度应依据其应用要求合理选择。因此,提出了K系特征X射线与轫致辐射强度的比值和低能射线与激发射线计数比值等参量作为评价Be窗厚度最优化的判断依据。除上述评判指标外,铍窗的厚度最优化选择还应考虑Be窗对不同能量X射线的屏蔽效果。依据模拟结果分析,原位(现场)X射线能量色散荧光分析应用中,Be窗厚度约250μm的微型X射线管最为合适。与50μm铍窗厚度出射射线相比,71.66%低能原级X射线被屏蔽,5～50keV能量原级X射线仅有21.31%被屏蔽,低能射线强度占总X射线比值小于10%,且K系X射线占激发射线的比例仍保持较高的水平。因此,采用250μm铍窗厚度的微型X射线管作为能量色散激发源,能保证探测器探测的有效信号比值较高,低能X射线对探测器的能量分辨率的影响最小,而且能量色散分析谱线的散射本底相对强度处于较低的水平,从而保证元素分析结果精准度。对于放射性治疗的应用中,则铍窗厚度越薄越好,此时,低能X射线具有较高的通量,能保证辐射剂量在治疗组织中剂量的集中。

FC-72在浸泡于液池中的微小圆管内的沸腾传热

本文对浸泡于FC-72液池中的两个微小圆管进行了沸腾实验研究,得到了沸腾曲线和传热系数,并用DV摄像机拍摄到了圆管出口处的沸腾状况,研究了管道尺寸对沸腾传热特性的影响。实验结果显示,管道尺寸对沸腾传热特性有显著的影响。传热系数和CHF随着管道尺寸的缩小而减小.直径为1.10mm的圆管出口处在低热负荷加热时发生了汽泡阻塞,并导致了剧烈的沸腾滞后现象。

超临界CO_2微细管内传热特性研究

考察超临界CO2微细管内冷却条件下流动和换热的细观信息(管内不同截面湍动能分布,无量纲速度和温度分布以及湍流雷诺数分布等),结果表明:近壁处湍动能的变化对传热有较大影响,微细管内换热关联式需考虑浮升力的影响。对管径d=0.5,0.3,0.1 mm时,超临界CO2的换热特性进行计算分析,回归出管径小于0.5 mm时,超临界CO2在冷却条件下竖直向上流动和竖直向下流动时的换热关联式,作为对超临界CO2研究的有效补充。

Al窗Ag靶微型透射式X射线管模拟与性能分析

微型透射式X射线管广泛应用于能量色散X射线荧光分析领域,具有体积小、功耗低、X射线发射效率高等特点,可作为手持式X射线荧光分析仪器的激发源。目前常用铍(Be)作为出射窗材料,成本高,而且有毒性。同时为减少低能散射射线,在射线管前端放置铝(Al)作为过滤窗。本文拟采用Al为微型透射式X射线管出射窗材料,透射高能射线,屏蔽低能散射射线,降低制作成本和难度。文中采用蒙特卡洛模拟软件MCNP5模拟计算不同银(Ag)靶厚度和Al窗厚度的X射线管输出谱。结果表明,Al窗对低能射线的屏蔽作用强于对高能射线的屏蔽作用,在Al窗厚度超过1.5mm时,低能射线完全被屏蔽,高能射线有部分透射。通过和已有研究成果[1,5]对比分析,在Ag靶厚度为2μm,Al窗厚度为0.8mm时,低能射线所占的比例仅为0.087 8%,高能射线产生率为0.002 73%,既能有效屏蔽低能射线,又能保证高能射线较高的出射率,能够满足野外现场能量色散X射线荧光分析的需要。

一种新型的变像管用复合聚焦-偏转系统

介绍了一种新型的多极式偏转器——8瓣状多极偏转器,它可通过将一旋转对称电极均匀开槽切割为8片而成。通过对圆周上各电极电位分布作傅里叶分析,获得了在其内部产生近乎均匀横向偏转场所需要的电极电位设置规律。由于其结构上的旋转对称性以及Laplace方程解的调和性,当在此8瓣偏转器各电极上同时叠加一聚焦透镜所需电位时,它所产生的场中多极场分量为16极场或者更多极场而不影响近轴区的聚焦效果,因而其能与常用的圆筒形电极相结合而形成复合聚焦-偏转系统。其具有的聚焦偏转特性也通过相关的定性分析得以验证。同时,这样结构上的优化也为变像管的小型化设计提供了可能性。